1
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Xiong Y, Libby KA, Su X. The physical landscape of CAR-T synapse. Biophys J 2024; 123:2199-2210. [PMID: 37715447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells form dynamic immunological synapses with their cancer cell targets. After a CAR-antigen engagement, the CAR-T synapse forms, matures, and finally disassembles, accompanied by substantial remodeling of cell surface proteins, lipids, and glycans. In this review, we provide perspectives for understanding protein distribution, membrane topology, and force transmission across the CAR-T synapse. We highlight the features of CAR-T synapses that differ from T cell receptor synapses, including the disorganized protein pattern, adjustable synapse width, diverse mechano-responding properties, and resulting signaling consequences. Through a range of examples, we illustrate how revealing the biophysical nature of the CAR-T synapse could guide the design of CAR-Ts with improved anti-tumor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Xiong
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kendra A Libby
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
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2
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Balagopalan L, Moreno T, Qin H, Angeles BC, Kondo T, Yi J, McIntire KM, Alvinez N, Pallikkuth S, Lee ME, Yamane H, Tran AD, Youkharibache P, Cachau RE, Taylor N, Samelson LE. Generation of antitumor chimeric antigen receptors incorporating T cell signaling motifs. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadp8569. [PMID: 39042728 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adp8569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been used to successfully treat various blood cancers, but adverse effects have limited their potential. Here, we developed chimeric adaptor proteins (CAPs) and CAR tyrosine kinases (CAR-TKs) in which the intracellular ζ T cell receptor (TCRζ) chain was replaced with intracellular protein domains to stimulate signaling downstream of the TCRζ chain. CAPs contain adaptor domains and the kinase domain of ZAP70, whereas CAR-TKs contain only ZAP70 domains. We hypothesized that CAPs and CAR-TKs would be more potent than CARs because they would bypass both the steps that define the signaling threshold of TCRζ and the inhibitory regulation of upstream molecules. CAPs were too potent and exhibited high tonic signaling in vitro. In contrast, CAR-TKs exhibited high antitumor efficacy and significantly enhanced long-term tumor clearance in leukemia-bearing NSG mice as compared with the conventional CD19-28ζ-CAR-T cells. CAR-TKs were activated in a manner independent of the kinase Lck and displayed slower phosphorylation kinetics and prolonged signaling compared with the 28ζ-CAR. Lck inhibition attenuated CAR-TK cell exhaustion and improved long-term function. The distinct signaling properties of CAR-TKs may therefore be harnessed to improve the in vivo efficacy of T cells engineered to express an antitumor chimeric receptor.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Humans
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Mice
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/metabolism
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/genetics
- ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Phosphorylation
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Balagopalan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Taylor Moreno
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Haiying Qin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin C Angeles
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jason Yi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Katherine M McIntire
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Neriah Alvinez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Sandeep Pallikkuth
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Mariah E Lee
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Hidehiro Yamane
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Andy D Tran
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CCR Microscopy Core), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Philippe Youkharibache
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Raul E Cachau
- Integrated Data Science Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lawrence E Samelson
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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3
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Prikhodko IV, Guria GT. The method for assessing the specificity of developing CAR therapies. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2024; 4:100172. [PMID: 39025235 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2024.100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The effectiveness of antitumor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy mainly dealt with an elevated sensitivity of CAR cells to target cells. However, CAR therapies are associated with nonspecific side effects: on-target off-tumor toxicity. Sensitivity and specificity of CAR cells are the most important properties of the recognition process of target cells among other cells. Current developments are mainly concentrated on exploring molecular biology methods for designing CAR cells with the highest sensitivity, while the problem of the CAR cell specificity is rarely considered. For the assessment of CAR cell specificity, we suggest that, in addition to an elevated level of CAR-antigen affinity, the ability of CARs for clustering should be taken into account. We assume that the CAR cell cytotoxicity is determined by CAR clustering. The latter is treated within the framework of nucleation theory. The master equation for the probability of CAR cell cytotoxicity is derived. The size of a critical CAR cluster is found to be one of two most essential parameters. The conditions for necessary sensitivity and sufficient specificity are explored. Relevant parametric diagrams are derived. Possible applications of the method for assessing the specificity of developing CAR therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan V Prikhodko
- Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling of Biological Processes, National Medical Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgy Th Guria
- Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling of Biological Processes, National Medical Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia; Chair of the Living Systems Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia.
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4
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Zhang X, Yuan L, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Wu Q, Li C, Wu M, Huang Y. Liquid-liquid phase separation in diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e640. [PMID: 39006762 PMCID: PMC11245632 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), an emerging biophysical phenomenon, can sequester molecules to implement physiological and pathological functions. LLPS implements the assembly of numerous membraneless chambers, including stress granules and P-bodies, containing RNA and protein. RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions play a critical role in LLPS. Scaffolding proteins, through multivalent interactions and external factors, support protein-RNA interaction networks to form condensates involved in a variety of diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Modulating LLPS phenomenon in multiple pathogenic proteins for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer could present a promising direction, though recent advances in this area are limited. Here, we summarize in detail the complexity of LLPS in constructing signaling pathways and highlight the role of LLPS in neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. We also explore RNA modifications on LLPS to alter diseases progression because these modifications can influence LLPS of certain proteins or the formation of stress granules, and discuss the possibility of proper manipulation of LLPS process to restore cellular homeostasis or develop therapeutic drugs for the eradication of diseases. This review attempts to discuss potential therapeutic opportunities by elaborating on the connection between LLPS, RNA modification, and their roles in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Laboratory of Research in Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders Health Sciences Institute China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Wanlu Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Yi Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Qun Wu
- Department of Pediatrics Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Chunting Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Min Wu
- Wenzhou Institute University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wenzhou Zhejiang China
- The Joint Research Center Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Ningbo China
| | - Yongye Huang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
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5
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Zhu B, Yin H, Zhang D, Zhang M, Chao X, Scimeca L, Wu MR. Synthetic biology approaches for improving the specificity and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:436-447. [PMID: 38605087 PMCID: PMC11061174 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01153-x] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown robust efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of hematological and solid cancers. Despite the transformative impact of immunotherapy on cancer treatment, several outstanding challenges remain. These challenges include on-target off-tumor toxicity, systemic toxicity, and the complexity of achieving potent and sustainable therapeutic efficacy. Synthetic biology has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these obstacles, offering innovative tools for engineering living cells with customized functions. This review provides an overview of the current landscape and future prospects of cancer immunotherapy, particularly emphasizing the role of synthetic biology in augmenting its specificity, controllability, and efficacy. We delineate and discuss two principal synthetic biology strategies: those targeting tumor surface antigens with engineered immune cells and those detecting intratumoral disease signatures with engineered gene circuits. This review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the enduring challenges in cancer immunotherapy and the potential breakthroughs that synthetic biology may contribute to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Di Zhang
- Drug Safety Research & Evaluation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Company, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaojuan Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Luca Scimeca
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ming-Ru Wu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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6
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Qiu Y, Xiao Q, Wang Y, Cao Y, Wang J, Wan Z, Chen X, Liu W, Ma L, Xu C. Mechanical force determines chimeric antigen receptor microclustering and signaling. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1016-1032. [PMID: 38327049 PMCID: PMC11163199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.006] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are activated to trigger the lytic machinery after antigen engagement, and this has been successfully applied clinically as therapy. The mechanism by which antigen binding leads to the initiation of CAR signaling remains poorly understood. Here, we used a set of short double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) tethers with mechanical forces ranging from ∼12 to ∼51 pN to manipulate the mechanical force of antigen tether and decouple the microclustering and signaling events. Our results revealed that antigen-binding-induced CAR microclustering and signaling are mechanical force dependent. Additionally, the mechanical force delivered to the antigen tether by the CAR for microclustering is generated by autonomous cell contractility. Mechanistically, the mechanical-force-induced strong adhesion and CAR diffusion confinement led to CAR microclustering. Moreover, cytotoxicity may have a lower mechanical force threshold than cytokine generation. Collectively, these results support a model of mechanical-force-induced CAR microclustering for signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qingyue Xiao
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yucai Wang
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yichen Cao
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Zhengpeng Wan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li Ma
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Chenguang Xu
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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7
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Ritmeester-Loy SA, Draper IH, Bueter EC, Lautz JD, Zhang-Wong Y, Gustafson JA, Wilson AL, Lin C, Gafken PR, Jensen MC, Orentas R, Smith SEP. Differential protein-protein interactions underlie signaling mediated by the TCR and a 4-1BB domain-containing CAR. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadd4671. [PMID: 38442200 PMCID: PMC10986860 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.add4671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Cells rely on activity-dependent protein-protein interactions to convey biological signals. For chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells containing a 4-1BB costimulatory domain, receptor engagement is thought to stimulate the formation of protein complexes similar to those stimulated by T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, but the number and type of protein interaction-mediating binding domains differ between CARs and TCRs. Here, we performed coimmunoprecipitation mass spectrometry analysis of a second-generation, CD19-directed 4-1BB:ζ CAR (referred to as bbζCAR) and identified 128 proteins that increased their coassociation after target engagement. We compared activity-induced TCR and CAR signalosomes by quantitative multiplex coimmunoprecipitation and showed that bbζCAR engagement led to the activation of two modules of protein interactions, one similar to TCR signaling that was more weakly engaged by bbζCAR as compared with the TCR and one composed of TRAF signaling complexes that was not engaged by the TCR. Batch-to-batch and interindividual variations in production of the cytokine IL-2 correlated with differences in the magnitude of protein network activation. Future CAR T cell manufacturing protocols could measure, and eventually control, biological variation by monitoring these signalosome activation markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Ritmeester-Loy
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Isabella H. Draper
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Eric C. Bueter
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Jonathan D Lautz
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Yue Zhang-Wong
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Joshua A. Gustafson
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101 USA
| | - Ashley L. Wilson
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101 USA
| | - Chenwei Lin
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Philip R. Gafken
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Michael C. Jensen
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Rimas Orentas
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Stephen E. P. Smith
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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8
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Lee HN, Lee SE, Inn KS, Seong J. Optical sensing and control of T cell signaling pathways. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1321996. [PMID: 38269062 PMCID: PMC10806162 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1321996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells regulate adaptive immune responses through complex signaling pathways mediated by T cell receptor (TCR). The functional domains of the TCR are combined with specific antibodies for the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. In this review, we first overview current understanding on the T cell signaling pathways as well as traditional methods that have been widely used for the T cell study. These methods, however, are still limited to investigating dynamic molecular events with spatiotemporal resolutions. Therefore, genetically encoded biosensors and optogenetic tools have been developed to study dynamic T cell signaling pathways in live cells. We review these cutting-edge technologies that revealed dynamic and complex molecular mechanisms at each stage of T cell signaling pathways. They have been primarily applied to the study of dynamic molecular events in TCR signaling, and they will further aid in understanding the mechanisms of CAR activation and function. Therefore, genetically encoded biosensors and optogenetic tools offer powerful tools for enhancing our understanding of signaling mechanisms in T cells and CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Nim Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technoloy, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Inn
- Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Seong
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Republic of Korea
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9
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Ma R, You F, Tian S, Zhang T, Tian X, Xiang S, Wu H, Yang N, An G, Yang L. Enhanced efficacy of CD19/CD22 bispecific CAR-T cells with EAAAK linker on B-cell malignancies. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:64-74. [PMID: 37671595 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the great success of CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, its clinical efficacy has been greatly hampered by the high relapse rate. In this study, we designed and compared four structures of CD19/CD22 bispecific CAR-T cells with different linkers and different orders of the antibody sequences. METHODS We detected the cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion levels, sustainable killing ability, differentiation, exhaustion of these four CAR-T cells in vitro. The optimal Bis-C CAR-T cells were evaluated the efficacy using NSG mice. RESULTS The two structures of CD19/CD22 bispecific CAR-T cells using (EAAAK)3 as linker had more significant cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion levels. In the process of continuous killing, Bis-C CAR-T cells showed better sustained killing ability, memory phenotype differentiation, and exhaustion. In the in vivo experiment mimicking CD19-negative relapse, Bis-C CAR-T was more able to control the tumor progression of mice in the CD19 low expression or no expression groups than CD19 CAR-T. CONCLUSIONS This study has generated a novel bispecific CAR-T cell that can simultaneously target CD19 or CD22 positive tumor cells, providing a new strategy to address the limitations of single-targeted CAR-T therapy in B-cell tumors (limited response or relapse).
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyuxue Ma
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fengtao You
- PersonGen BioTherapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Shuaiyu Tian
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- PersonGen BioTherapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaopeng Tian
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shufen Xiang
- PersonGen BioTherapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Hai Wu
- PersonGen BioTherapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Nan Yang
- PersonGen BioTherapeutics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
| | - Gangli An
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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10
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Zhang X, Xiao Q, Zeng L, Hashmi F, Su X. IDR-induced CAR condensation improves the cytotoxicity of CAR-Ts against low-antigen cancers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.02.560460. [PMID: 37873222 PMCID: PMC10592880 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell-based therapies demonstrate remarkable efficacy for the treatment of otherwise intractable cancers, particularly B-cell malignancies. However, existing FDA-approved CAR-Ts are limited by low antigen sensitivity, rendering their insufficient targeting to low antigen-expressing cancers. To improve the antigen sensitivity of CAR-Ts, we engineered CARs targeting CD19, CD22, and HER2 by including intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) that promote signaling condensation. The "IDR CARs" triggered enhanced membrane-proximal signaling in the CAR-T synapse, which led to an increased release of cytotoxic factors, a higher killing activity towards low antigen-expressing cancer cells in vitro, and an improved anti-tumor efficacy in vivo. No elevated tonic signaling was observed in IDR CAR-Ts. Together, we demonstrated IDRs as a new tool set to enhance CAR-T cytotoxicity and to broaden CAR-T's application to low antigen-expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Longhui Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Fawzaan Hashmi
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT 06520
- Yale Stem Cell Center, New Haven, CT 06520
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11
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Kokalaki E, Ma B, Ferrari M, Grothier T, Hazelton W, Manzoor S, Costu E, Taylor J, Bulek A, Srivastava S, Gannon I, Jha R, Gealy R, Stanczuk L, Rizou T, Robson M, El-Kholy M, Baldan V, Righi M, Sillibourne J, Thomas S, Onuoha S, Cordoba S, Pule M. Dual targeting of CD19 and CD22 against B-ALL using a novel high-sensitivity aCD22 CAR. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2089-2104. [PMID: 36945773 PMCID: PMC10362402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells recognizing CD19 effectively treat relapsed and refractory B-ALL and DLBCL. However, CD19 loss is a frequent cause of relapse. Simultaneously targeting a second antigen, CD22, may decrease antigen escape, but is challenging: its density is approximately 10-fold less than CD19, and its large structure may hamper immune synapse formation. The characteristics of the optimal CD22 CAR are underexplored. We generated 12 distinct CD22 antibodies and tested CARs derived from them to identify a CAR based on the novel 9A8 antibody, which was sensitive to low CD22 density and lacked tonic signaling. We found no correlation between affinity or membrane proximity of recognition epitope within Ig domains 3-6 of CD22 with CART function. The optimal strategy for CD19/CD22 CART co-targeting is undetermined. Co-administration of CD19 and CD22 CARs is costly; single CARs targeting CD19 and CD22 are challenging to construct. The co-expression of two CARs has previously been achieved using bicistronic vectors. Here, we generated a dual CART product by co-transduction with 9A8-41BBζ and CAT-41BBζ (obe-cel), the previously described CD19 CAR. CAT/9A8 CART eliminated single- and double-positive target cells in vitro and eliminated CD19- tumors in vivo. CAT/9A8 CART is being tested in a phase I clinical study (NCT02443831).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biao Ma
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Mathieu Ferrari
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Thomas Grothier
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Warren Hazelton
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Somayya Manzoor
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Eren Costu
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Julia Taylor
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Anna Bulek
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | | | - Isaac Gannon
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Ram Jha
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Rosalind Gealy
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Lukas Stanczuk
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Tatiana Rizou
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Mathew Robson
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | | | - Vania Baldan
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Matteo Righi
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | | | - Simon Thomas
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Shimobi Onuoha
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Shaun Cordoba
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK
| | - Martin Pule
- Autolus Ltd, The MediaWorks, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7FP, UK; Department of Haematology, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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12
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Shah V, Womack J, Zamora AE, Terhune SS, Dash RK. Simulating the Evolution of Signaling Signatures During CART-Cell and Tumor Cell Interactions. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-5. [PMID: 38083755 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have been proven to have significant therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cancer. The last decade has seen adoptive cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART-cell) therapy, gain FDA approval against specific cancers. Additionally, there are numerous clinical trials ongoing investigating additional designs and targets. Nevertheless, despite the excitement and promising potential of CART-cell therapy, response rates to therapy vary greatly between studies, patients, and cancers. There remains an unmet need to develop computational frameworks that more accurately predict CART-cell function and clinical efficacy. Here we present a coarse-grained model simulated with logical rules that demonstrates the evolution of signaling signatures following the interaction between CART-cells and tumor cells and allows for in silico based prediction of CART-cell functionality prior to experimentation.Clinical Relevance- Analysis of CART-cell signaling signatures can inform future CAR receptor design and combination therapy approaches aimed at improving therapy response.
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13
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Lee L, Lim WC, Galas-Filipowicz D, Fung K, Taylor J, Patel D, Akbar Z, Alvarez Mediavilla E, Wawrzyniecka P, Shome D, Reijmers RM, Gregg T, Wood L, Day W, Cerec V, Ferrari M, Thomas S, Cordoba S, Onuoha S, Khokhar N, Peddareddigari V, Al-Hajj M, Cavet J, Zweegman S, Rodriguez-Justo M, Youg K, Pule M, Popat R. Limited efficacy of APRIL CAR in patients with multiple myeloma indicate challenges in the use of natural ligands for CAR T-cell therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006699. [PMID: 37399355 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We used a proliferating ligand (APRIL) to construct a ligand-based third generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) able to target two myeloma antigens, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor. METHODS The APRIL CAR was evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03287804, AUTO2) in patients with relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma. Eleven patients received 13 doses, the first 15×106 CARs, and subsequent patients received 75,225,600 and 900×106 CARs in a 3+3 escalation design. RESULTS The APRIL CAR was well tolerated. Five (45.5%) patients developed Grade 1 cytokine release syndrome and there was no neurotoxicity. However, responses were only observed in 45.5% patients (1×very good partial response, 3×partial response, 1×minimal response). Exploring the mechanistic basis for poor responses, we then compared the APRIL CAR to two other BCMA CARs in a series of in vitro assays, observing reduced interleukin-2 secretion and lack of sustained tumor control by APRIL CAR regardless of transduction method or co-stimulatory domain. There was also impaired interferon signaling of APRIL CAR and no evidence of autoactivation. Thus focusing on APRIL itself, we confirmed similar affinity to BCMA and protein stability in comparison to BCMA CAR binders but reduced binding by cell-expressed APRIL to soluble BCMA and reduced avidity to tumor cells. This indicated either suboptimal folding or stability of membrane-bound APRIL attenuating CAR activation. CONCLUSIONS The APRIL CAR was well tolerated, but the clinical responses observed in AUTO2 were disappointing. Subsequently, when comparing the APRIL CAR to other BCMA CARs, we observed in vitro functional deficiencies due to reduced target binding by cell-expressed ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Lee
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | - Kent Fung
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Dominic Patel
- Department of Pathology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leigh Wood
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jim Cavet
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Kwee Youg
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Martin Pule
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Autolus Ltd, London, UK
| | - Rakesh Popat
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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14
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Shah V, Womack J, Zamora AE, Terhune SS, Dash RK. Simulating the Evolution of Signaling Signatures during CART-Cell - Tumor Cell Interactions. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2302.04338v1. [PMID: 36798455 PMCID: PMC9934731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have been proven to have significant therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cancer. The last decade has seen adoptive cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART-cell) therapy, gain FDA approval against specific cancers. Additionally, there are numerous clinical trials ongoing investigating additional designs and targets. Nevertheless, despite the excitement and promising potential of CART-cell therapy, response rates to therapy vary greatly between studies, patients, and cancers. There remains an unmet need to develop computational frameworks that more accurately predict CART-cell function and clinical efficacy. Here we present a coarse-grained model simulated with logical rules that demonstrates the evolution of signaling signatures following the interaction between CART-cells and tumor cells and allows for in silico based prediction of CART-cell functionality prior to experimentation.
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15
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Labanieh L, Mackall CL. CAR immune cells: design principles, resistance and the next generation. Nature 2023; 614:635-648. [PMID: 36813894 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable clinical activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies in B cell and plasma cell malignancies has validated the use of this therapeutic class for liquid cancers, but resistance and limited access remain as barriers to broader application. Here we review the immunobiology and design principles of current prototype CARs and present emerging platforms that are anticipated to drive future clinical advances. The field is witnessing a rapid expansion of next-generation CAR immune cell technologies designed to enhance efficacy, safety and access. Substantial progress has been made in augmenting immune cell fitness, activating endogenous immunity, arming cells to resist suppression via the tumour microenvironment and developing approaches to modulate antigen density thresholds. Increasingly sophisticated multispecific, logic-gated and regulatable CARs display the potential to overcome resistance and increase safety. Early signs of progress with stealth, virus-free and in vivo gene delivery platforms provide potential paths for reduced costs and increased access of cell therapies in the future. The continuing clinical success of CAR T cells in liquid cancers is driving the development of increasingly sophisticated immune cell therapies that are poised to translate to treatments for solid cancers and non-malignant diseases in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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16
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Pathogen-specific T Cells: Targeting Old Enemies and New Invaders in Transplantation and Beyond. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e809. [PMID: 36698615 PMCID: PMC9831191 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with virus-specific cytotoxic T cells (VSTs) has evolved over the last three decades as a strategy to rapidly restore virus-specific immunity to prevent or treat viral diseases after solid organ or allogeneic hematopoietic cell-transplantation (allo-HCT). Since the early proof-of-principle studies demonstrating that seropositive donor-derived T cells, specific for the commonest pathogens post transplantation, namely cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and generated by time- and labor-intensive protocols, could effectively control viral infections, major breakthroughs have then streamlined the manufacturing process of pathogen-specific T cells (pSTs), broadened the breadth of target recognition to even include novel emerging pathogens and enabled off-the-shelf administration or pathogen-naive donor pST production. We herein review the journey of evolution of adoptive immunotherapy with nonengineered, natural pSTs against infections and virus-associated malignancies in the transplant setting and briefly touch upon recent achievements using pSTs outside this context.
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17
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Xiao Q, Su X. Imaging CAR-T Synapse as a Quality Control for CAR Engineering. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2654:503-512. [PMID: 37106204 PMCID: PMC11131089 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3135-5_33] [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] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) evolves as a powerful tool to reprogram T cells for targeted killing. CAR-T therapy succeeded in treating certain types of blood cancers, and its application is now expanding towards solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, viral infection, and fibrosis. These require the design of a large number of new CARs that target a variety of antigens. Here we described two methods as a quality control for validating newly developed CARs: (1) the cell-cell conjugation assay as a reflection of efficient binding of CAR to antigen in the cellular context and (2) CD45 exclusion in the synapse as an indication of CAR signaling potential. These assays examine prerequisites for a functional CAR-T and reveal causes for ineffective CAR-T activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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18
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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".
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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:
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19
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Cassioli C, Patrussi L, Valitutti S, Baldari CT. Learning from TCR Signaling and Immunological Synapse Assembly to Build New Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14255. [PMID: 36430728 PMCID: PMC9694822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy is a revolutionary pillar in cancer treatment. Clinical experience has shown remarkable successes in the treatment of certain hematological malignancies but only limited efficacy against B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other cancer types, especially solid tumors. A wide range of engineering strategies have been employed to overcome the limitations of CAR T cell therapy. However, it has become increasingly clear that CARs have unique, unexpected features; hence, a deep understanding of how CARs signal and trigger the formation of a non-conventional immunological synapse (IS), the signaling platform required for T cell activation and execution of effector functions, would lead a shift from empirical testing to the rational design of new CAR constructs. Here, we review current knowledge of CARs, focusing on their structure, signaling and role in CAR T cell IS assembly. We, moreover, discuss the molecular features accounting for poor responses in CLL patients treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells and propose CLL as a paradigm for diseases connected to IS dysfunctions that could significantly benefit from the development of novel CARs to generate a productive anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Patrussi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Cosima T. Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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20
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Current and Future Perspectives for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Development in Poland. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112912. [PMID: 36428480 PMCID: PMC9687915 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112912] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells are genetically modified autologous T cells that have revolutionized the treatment of relapsing and refractory haematological malignancies. In this review we present molecular pathways involved in the activation of CAR-T cells, describe in details the structures of receptors and the biological activity of CAR-T cells currently approved for clinical practice in the European Union, and explain the functional differences between them. Finally, we present the potential for the development of CAR-T cells in Poland, as well as indicate the possible directions of future research in this area, including novel modifications and applications of CAR-T cells and CAR-natural killer (NK) cells.
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21
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Abstract
As the targets of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells expand to a variety of cancers, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and fibrosis, there is an increasing demand for identifying new antigens and designing new CARs that can be effectively activated. However, the rational selection of antigens and the design of CARs are limited by a lack of knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism by which CARs are activated by antigens. Here, we present data supporting a "size exclusion" model explaining how antigen signals are transmitted across the plasma membrane to activate the intracellular domains of CARs. In this model, antigen engagement with CAR results in a narrow intermembrane space that physically excludes CD45, a bulky phosphatase, out of the CAR zone, thus favoring CAR phosphorylation by kinases, which further triggers downstream pathways leading to T cell activation. Aligned with this model, increasing the size of CAR extracellular domains diminished CAR-T activation both in vitro and in a mouse lymphoma model; membrane-proximal epitopes activated CAR-Ts better than membrane-distal epitopes. Moreover, increasing the size of CD45 by antibody conjugation enhanced the activation of CARs that recognize membrane-distal epitopes. Consistently, CAR-Ts expressing CD45RABC, the larger isoform, were activated to a higher level than those expressing a smaller isoform CD45RO. Together, our work revealed that CAR-T activation depends on the size difference between the CAR-antigen pair and CD45; the size of CAR, antigen, and CD45 can thus be targets for tuning CAR-T activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Liqun Tu
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA
| | - Jian Cao
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Christian S. Hinrichs
- Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA,Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA,Corresponding author: Xiaolei Su,
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22
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Céspedes PF, Jainarayanan A, Fernández-Messina L, Valvo S, Saliba DG, Kurz E, Kvalvaag A, Chen L, Ganskow C, Colin-York H, Fritzsche M, Peng Y, Dong T, Johnson E, Siller-Farfán JA, Dushek O, Sezgin E, Peacock B, Law A, Aubert D, Engledow S, Attar M, Hester S, Fischer R, Sánchez-Madrid F, Dustin ML. T-cell trans-synaptic vesicles are distinct and carry greater effector content than constitutive extracellular vesicles. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3460. [PMID: 35710644 PMCID: PMC9203538 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological synapse is a molecular hub that facilitates the delivery of three activation signals, namely antigen, costimulation/corepression and cytokines, from antigen-presenting cells (APC) to T cells. T cells release a fourth class of signaling entities, trans-synaptic vesicles (tSV), to mediate bidirectional communication. Here we present bead-supported lipid bilayers (BSLB) as versatile synthetic APCs to capture, characterize and advance the understanding of tSV biogenesis. Specifically, the integration of juxtacrine signals, such as CD40 and antigen, results in the adaptive tailoring and release of tSV, which differ in size, yields and immune receptor cargo compared with steadily released extracellular vesicles (EVs). Focusing on CD40L+ tSV as model effectors, we show that PD-L1 trans-presentation together with TSG101, ADAM10 and CD81 are key in determining CD40L vesicular release. Lastly, we find greater RNA-binding protein and microRNA content in tSV compared with EVs, supporting the specialized role of tSV as intercellular messengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo F Céspedes
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Ashwin Jainarayanan
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lola Fernández-Messina
- Immunology Service, Hospital de la Princesa, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Intercellular communication in the inflammatory response. Vascular Physiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvatore Valvo
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David G Saliba
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elke Kurz
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Audun Kvalvaag
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lina Chen
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Charity Ganskow
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Huw Colin-York
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yanchun Peng
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tao Dong
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Errin Johnson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Erdinc Sezgin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Simon Engledow
- Oxford Genomics Centre, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Moustafa Attar
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Genomics Centre, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Svenja Hester
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Madrid
- Immunology Service, Hospital de la Princesa, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Intercellular communication in the inflammatory response. Vascular Physiology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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23
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Boettcher M, Joechner A, Li Z, Yang SF, Schlegel P. Development of CAR T Cell Therapy in Children-A Comprehensive Overview. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082158. [PMID: 35456250 PMCID: PMC9024694 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR T cell therapy has revolutionized immunotherapy in the last decade with the successful establishment of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing cellular therapies as an alternative treatment in relapsed and refractory CD19-positive leukemias and lymphomas. There are fundamental reasons why CAR T cell therapy has been approved by the Food and Drug administration and the European Medicines Agency for pediatric and young adult patients first. Commonly, novel therapies are developed for adult patients and then adapted for pediatric use, due to regulatory and commercial reasons. Both strategic and biological factors have supported the success of CAR T cell therapy in children. Since there is an urgent need for more potent and specific therapies in childhood malignancies, efforts should also include the development of CAR therapeutics and expand applicability by introducing new technologies. Basic aspects, the evolution and the drawbacks of childhood CAR T cell therapy are discussed as along with the latest clinically relevant information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Boettcher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Alexander Joechner
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia;
- Cellular Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney 2145, Australia; (Z.L.); (S.F.Y.)
| | - Ziduo Li
- Cellular Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney 2145, Australia; (Z.L.); (S.F.Y.)
| | - Sile Fiona Yang
- Cellular Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney 2145, Australia; (Z.L.); (S.F.Y.)
| | - Patrick Schlegel
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia;
- Cellular Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney 2145, Australia; (Z.L.); (S.F.Y.)
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney 2145, Australia
- Correspondence:
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24
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Ramírez-Fernández Á, Aguilar-Sopeña Ó, Díez-Alonso L, Segura-Tudela A, Domínguez-Alonso C, Roda-Navarro P, Álvarez-Vallina L, Blanco B. Synapse topology and downmodulation events determine the functional outcome of anti-CD19 T cell-redirecting strategies. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2054106. [PMID: 35355682 PMCID: PMC8959521 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2054106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy strategies based on the endogenous secretion of T cell-redirecting bispecific antibodies by engineered T lymphocytes (STAb-T) are emerging as alternative or complementary approaches to those based on chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T). The antitumor efficacy of bispecific anti-CD19 × anti-CD3 (CD19×CD3) T cell engager (BiTE)-secreting STAb-T cells has been demonstrated in several mouse models of B-cell acute leukemia. Here, we have investigated the spatial topology and downstream signaling of the artificial immunological synapses (IS) that are formed by CAR-T or STAb-T cells. Upon interaction with CD19-positive target cells, STAb-T cells form IS with structure and signal transduction, which more closely resemble those of physiological cognate IS, compared to IS formed by CAR-T cells expressing a second-generation CAR bearing the same CD19-single-chain variable fragment. Importantly, while CD3 is maintained at detectable levels on the surface of STAb-T cells, indicating sustained activation mediated by the secreted BiTE, the anti-CD19 CAR was rapidly downmodulated, which correlated with a more transient downstream signaling. Furthermore, CAR-T cells, but not STAb-T cells, provoke an acute loss of CD19 in target cells. Such differences might represent advantages of the STAb-T strategy over the CAR-T approach and should be carefully considered in order to develop more effective and safer treatments for hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Ramírez-Fernández
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar Aguilar-Sopeña
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Lymphocyte Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Díez-Alonso
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Segura-Tudela
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Domínguez-Alonso
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Roda-Navarro
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Lymphocyte Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Red Española de Terapias Avanzadas (TERAV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RICORS, RD21/0017/0029), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Blanco
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital, Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Red Española de Terapias Avanzadas (TERAV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RICORS, RD21/0017/0029), Madrid, Spain
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25
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Abstract
Immune signalling pathways convert pathogenic stimuli into cytosolic events that lead to the resolution of infection. Upon ligand engagement, immune receptors together with their downstream adaptors and effectors undergo substantial conformational changes and spatial reorganization. During this process, nanometre-to-micrometre-sized signalling clusters have been commonly observed that are believed to be hotspots for signal transduction. Because of their large size and heterogeneous composition, it remains a challenge to fully understand the mechanisms by which these signalling clusters form and their functional consequences. Recently, phase separation has emerged as a new biophysical principle for organizing biomolecules into large clusters with fluidic properties. Although the field is still in its infancy, studies of phase separation in immunology are expected to provide new perspectives for understanding immune responses. Here, we present an up-to-date view of how liquid-liquid phase separation drives the formation of signalling condensates and regulates immune signalling pathways, including those downstream of T cell receptor, B cell receptor and the innate immune receptors cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I protein (RIG-I). We conclude with a summary of the current challenges the field is facing and outstanding questions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ceara K. McAtee
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA,
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26
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Griffith AA, Callahan KP, King NG, Xiao Q, Su X, Salomon AR. SILAC Phosphoproteomics Reveals Unique Signaling Circuits in CAR-T Cells and the Inhibition of B Cell-Activating Phosphorylation in Target Cells. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:395-409. [PMID: 35014847 PMCID: PMC8830406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is a single-pass transmembrane receptor designed to specifically target and eliminate cancers. While CARs prove highly efficacious against B cell malignancies, the intracellular signaling events which promote CAR T cell activity remain elusive. To gain further insight into both CAR T cell signaling and the potential signaling response of cells targeted by CAR, we analyzed phosphopeptides captured by two separate phosphoenrichment strategies from third generation CD19-CAR T cells cocultured with SILAC labeled Raji B cells by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Here, we report that CD19-CAR T cells upregulated several key phosphorylation events also observed in canonical T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, while Raji B cells exhibited a significant decrease in B cell receptor-signaling related phosphorylation events in response to coculture. Our data suggest that CD19-CAR stimulation activates a mixture of unique CD19-CAR-specific signaling pathways and canonical TCR signaling, while global phosphorylation in Raji B cells is reduced after association with the CD19-CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alijah A. Griffith
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Kenneth P. Callahan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Nathan Gordo King
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520
| | - Arthur R. Salomon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912,
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27
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Heitzeneder S, Bosse KR, Zhu Z, Zhelev D, Majzner RG, Radosevich MT, Dhingra S, Sotillo E, Buongervino S, Pascual-Pasto G, Garrigan E, Xu P, Huang J, Salzer B, Delaidelli A, Raman S, Cui H, Martinez B, Bornheimer SJ, Sahaf B, Alag A, Fetahu IS, Hasselblatt M, Parker KR, Anbunathan H, Hwang J, Huang M, Sakamoto K, Lacayo NJ, Klysz DD, Theruvath J, Vilches-Moure JG, Satpathy AT, Chang HY, Lehner M, Taschner-Mandl S, Julien JP, Sorensen PH, Dimitrov DS, Maris JM, Mackall CL. GPC2-CAR T cells tuned for low antigen density mediate potent activity against neuroblastoma without toxicity. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:53-69.e9. [PMID: 34971569 PMCID: PMC9092726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric cancers often mimic fetal tissues and express proteins normally silenced postnatally that could serve as immune targets. We developed T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting glypican-2 (GPC2), a fetal antigen expressed on neuroblastoma (NB) and several other solid tumors. CARs engineered using standard designs control NBs with transgenic GPC2 overexpression, but not those expressing clinically relevant GPC2 site density (∼5,000 molecules/cell, range 1-6 × 103). Iterative engineering of transmembrane (TM) and co-stimulatory domains plus overexpression of c-Jun lowered the GPC2-CAR antigen density threshold, enabling potent and durable eradication of NBs expressing clinically relevant GPC2 antigen density, without toxicity. These studies highlight the critical interplay between CAR design and antigen density threshold, demonstrate potent efficacy and safety of a lead GPC2-CAR candidate suitable for clinical testing, and credential oncofetal antigens as a promising class of targets for CAR T cell therapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Heitzeneder
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kristopher R Bosse
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhongyu Zhu
- National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Doncho Zhelev
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Molly T Radosevich
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shaurya Dhingra
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elena Sotillo
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Samantha Buongervino
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guillem Pascual-Pasto
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily Garrigan
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jing Huang
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Benjamin Salzer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alberto Delaidelli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Swetha Raman
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hong Cui
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Benjamin Martinez
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | | | - Bita Sahaf
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Anya Alag
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Irfete S Fetahu
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kevin R Parker
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hima Anbunathan
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Min Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kathleen Sakamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Norman J Lacayo
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dorota D Klysz
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Johanna Theruvath
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - José G Vilches-Moure
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Animal Histology Services, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 941209, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Manfred Lehner
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jean-Phillipe Julien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Dimiter S Dimitrov
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry Lokey Building, Suite G3141, MC: 5456, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 941209, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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28
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De Silva D, Ferguson L, Chin GH, Smith BE, Apathy RA, Roth TL, Blaeschke F, Kudla M, Marson A, Ingolia NT, Cate JHD. Robust T cell activation requires an eIF3-driven burst in T cell receptor translation. eLife 2021; 10:e74272. [PMID: 34970966 PMCID: PMC8758144 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of T cells requires a rapid surge in cellular protein synthesis. However, the role of translation initiation in the early induction of specific genes remains unclear. Here, we show human translation initiation factor eIF3 interacts with select immune system related mRNAs including those encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) subunits TCRA and TCRB. Binding of eIF3 to the TCRA and TCRB mRNA 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) depends on CD28 coreceptor signaling and regulates a burst in TCR translation required for robust T cell activation. Use of the TCRA or TCRB 3'-UTRs to control expression of an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) improves the ability of CAR-T cells to kill tumor cells in vitro. These results identify a new mechanism of eIF3-mediated translation control that can aid T cell engineering for immunotherapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasmanthie De Silva
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- The J. David Gladstone InstitutesSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Lucas Ferguson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Grant H Chin
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Benjamin E Smith
- School of Optometry, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ryan A Apathy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Theodore L Roth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | | | - Marek Kudla
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Alexander Marson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic ImmunologySan FranciscoUnited States
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Parker Institute for Cancer ImmunotherapySan FranciscoUnited States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Nicholas T Ingolia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Jamie HD Cate
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- The J. David Gladstone InstitutesSan FranciscoUnited States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyUnited States
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29
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Wang H, Song X, Shen L, Wang X, Xu C. Exploiting T cell signaling to optimize engineered T cell therapies. Trends Cancer 2021; 8:123-134. [PMID: 34810156 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Engineered T cell therapies, mainly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and T cell receptor (TCR)-T, have become the new frontier of cancer treatment. CAR-T and TCR-T therapies differ in many aspects, including cell persistence and toxicity, leading to different therapeutic outcomes. Both TCR and CAR recognize antigens and trigger T cell mediated antitumor response, but they have distinct molecular structures and signaling properties. TCR represents one of the most complex receptors, while CAR is a single-chain chimera integrating modules from multiple immune receptors. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the strengths and limitations of both systems can pave the way for the development of next-generation T cell therapy. This review synthesizes recent findings on TCR and CAR signaling and highlights the potential strategies of T cell engineering by signaling refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haopeng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xianming Song
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Chenqi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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30
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Alfei F, Ho PC, Lo WL. DCision-making in tumors governs T cell anti-tumor immunity. Oncogene 2021; 40:5253-5261. [PMID: 34290401 PMCID: PMC8390370 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01946-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The exploitation of T cell-based immunotherapies and immune checkpoint blockade for cancer treatment has dramatically shifted oncological treatment paradigms and broadened the horizons of cancer immunology. Dendritic cells have emerged as the critical tailors of T cell immune responses, which initiate and coordinate anti-tumor immunity. Importantly, genetic alterations in cancer cells, cytokines and chemokines produced by cancer and stromal cells, and the process of tumor microenvironmental regulation can compromise dendritic cell-T cell cross-talk, thereby disrupting anti-tumor T cell responses. This review summarizes how T cell activation is controlled by dendritic cells and how the tumor microenvironment alters dendritic cell properties in the context of the anti-tumor immune cycle. Furthermore, we will highlight therapeutic options for tailoring dendritic cell-mediated decision-making in T cells for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Alfei
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Wan-Lin Lo
- Division of Rheumatology, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engleman Arthritis Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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31
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Wurzer H, Filali L, Hoffmann C, Krecke M, Biolato AM, Mastio J, De Wilde S, François JH, Largeot A, Berchem G, Paggetti J, Moussay E, Thomas C. Intrinsic Resistance of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells to NK Cell-Mediated Lysis Can Be Overcome In Vitro by Pharmacological Inhibition of Cdc42-Induced Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling. Front Immunol 2021; 12:619069. [PMID: 34108958 PMCID: PMC8181408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.619069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate effector lymphocytes with strong antitumor effects against hematologic malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, NK cells fail to control CLL progression on the long term. For effective lysis of their targets, NK cells use a specific cell-cell interface, known as the immunological synapse (IS), whose assembly and effector function critically rely on dynamic cytoskeletal changes in NK cells. Here we explored the role of CLL cell actin cytoskeleton during NK cell attack. We found that CLL cells can undergo fast actin cytoskeleton remodeling which is characterized by a NK cell contact-induced accumulation of actin filaments at the IS. Such polarization of the actin cytoskeleton was strongly associated with resistance against NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and reduced amounts of the cell-death inducing molecule granzyme B in target CLL cells. Selective pharmacological targeting of the key actin regulator Cdc42 abrogated the capacity of CLL cells to reorganize their actin cytoskeleton during NK cell attack, increased levels of transferred granzyme B and restored CLL cell susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. This resistance mechanism was confirmed in primary CLL cells from patients. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of actin dynamics in combination with blocking antibodies increased conjugation frequency and improved CLL cell elimination by NK cells. Together our results highlight the critical role of CLL cell actin cytoskeleton in driving resistance against NK cell cytotoxicity and provide new potential therapeutic point of intervention to target CLL immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wurzer
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liza Filali
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Céline Hoffmann
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Max Krecke
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Andrea Michela Biolato
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jérôme Mastio
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Sigrid De Wilde
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Central Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Jean Hugues François
- Laboratory of Hematology, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Anne Largeot
- Tumor-Stroma Interactions, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Guy Berchem
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Central Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Jérôme Paggetti
- Tumor-Stroma Interactions, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Etienne Moussay
- Tumor-Stroma Interactions, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Clément Thomas
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
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32
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Zeng L, Palaia I, Šarić A, Su X. PLCγ1 promotes phase separation of T cell signaling components. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212040. [PMID: 33929486 PMCID: PMC8094118 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202009154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) pathway receives, processes, and amplifies the signal from pathogenic antigens to the activation of T cells. Although major components in this pathway have been identified, the knowledge on how individual components cooperate to effectively transduce signals remains limited. Phase separation emerges as a biophysical principle in organizing signaling molecules into liquid-like condensates. Here, we report that phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) promotes phase separation of LAT, a key adaptor protein in the TCR pathway. PLCγ1 directly cross-links LAT through its two SH2 domains. PLCγ1 also protects LAT from dephosphorylation by the phosphatase CD45 and promotes LAT-dependent ERK activation and SLP76 phosphorylation. Intriguingly, a nonmonotonic effect of PLCγ1 on LAT clustering was discovered. Computer simulations, based on patchy particles, revealed how the cluster size is regulated by protein compositions. Together, these results define a critical function of PLCγ1 in promoting phase separation of the LAT complex and TCR signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhui Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Ivan Palaia
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, UK.,Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anđela Šarić
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, UK.,Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT
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33
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Britt EA, Gitau V, Saha A, Williamson AP. Modular Organization of Engulfment Receptors and Proximal Signaling Networks: Avenues to Reprogram Phagocytosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661974. [PMID: 33953723 PMCID: PMC8092387 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661974] [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: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmembrane protein engulfment receptors expressed on the surface of phagocytes engage ligands on apoptotic cells and debris to initiate a sequence of events culminating in material internalization and immunologically beneficial outcomes. Engulfment receptors are modular, comprised of functionally independent extracellular ligation domains and cytosolic signaling motifs. Cognate kinases, adaptors, and phosphatases regulate engulfment by controlling the degree of receptor activation in phagocyte plasma membranes, thus acting as receptor-proximal signaling modules. Here, we review recent efforts to reprogram phagocytes using modular synthetic receptors composed of antibody-based extracellular domains fused to engulfment receptor signaling domains. To aid the development of new phagocyte reprogramming methods, we then define the kinases, adaptors, and phosphatases that regulate a conserved family of engulfment receptors. Finally, we discuss current challenges and opportunities for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Britt
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
| | - Vanessa Gitau
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
| | - Amara Saha
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
| | - Adam P Williamson
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
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34
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Lo WL, Weiss A. Adapting T Cell Receptor Ligand Discrimination Capability via LAT. Front Immunol 2021; 12:673196. [PMID: 33936119 PMCID: PMC8085316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.673196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Self- and non-self ligand discrimination is a core principle underlying T cell-mediated immunity. Mature αβ T cells can respond to a foreign peptide ligand presented by major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs) on antigen presenting cells, on a background of continuously sensed self-pMHCs. How αβ T cells can properly balance high sensitivity and high specificity to foreign pMHCs, while surrounded by a sea of self-peptide ligands is not well understood. Such discrimination cannot be explained solely by the affinity parameters of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and pMHC interaction. In this review, we will discuss how T cell ligand discrimination may be molecularly defined by events downstream of the TCR-pMHC interaction. We will discuss new evidence in support of the kinetic proofreading model of TCR ligand discrimination, and in particular how the kinetics of specific phosphorylation sites within the adaptor protein linker for activation of T cells (LAT) determine the outcome of TCR signaling. In addition, we will discuss emerging data regarding how some kinases, including ZAP-70 and LCK, may possess scaffolding functions to more efficiently direct their kinase activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Lin Lo
- Division of Rheumatology, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engleman Arthritis Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Arthur Weiss
- Division of Rheumatology, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engleman Arthritis Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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35
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Chandler NJ, Call MJ, Call ME. T Cell Activation Machinery: Form and Function in Natural and Engineered Immune Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7424. [PMID: 33050044 PMCID: PMC7582382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The impressive success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies in treating advanced B-cell malignancies has spurred a frenzy of activity aimed at developing CAR-T therapies for other cancers, particularly solid tumors, and optimizing engineered T cells for maximum clinical benefit in many different disease contexts. A rapidly growing body of design work is examining every modular component of traditional single-chain CARs as well as expanding out into many new and innovative engineered immunoreceptor designs that depart from this template. New approaches to immune cell and receptor engineering are being reported with rapidly increasing frequency, and many recent high-quality reviews (including one in this special issue) provide comprehensive coverage of the history and current state of the art in CAR-T and related cellular immunotherapies. In this review, we step back to examine our current understanding of the structure-function relationships in natural and engineered lymphocyte-activating receptors, with an eye towards evaluating how well the current-generation CAR designs recapitulate the most desirable features of their natural counterparts. We identify key areas that we believe are under-studied and therefore represent opportunities to further improve our grasp of form and function in natural and engineered receptors and to rationally design better therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Chandler
- Structural Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (N.J.C.); (M.J.C.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Melissa J. Call
- Structural Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (N.J.C.); (M.J.C.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Matthew E. Call
- Structural Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (N.J.C.); (M.J.C.)
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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