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Palameta S, Manrique-Rincón AJ, Toscaro JM, Semionatto IF, Fonseca MC, Rosa RS, Ruas LP, Oliveira PS, Bajgelman MC. Boosting antitumor response with PSMA-targeted immunomodulatory VLPs, harboring costimulatory TNFSF ligands and GM-CSF cytokine. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 24:650-662. [PMID: 35284623 PMCID: PMC8898762 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies based on immunomodulation have improved cancer therapy. Most approaches target co-stimulatory pathways or the inhibition of immunosuppressive mechanisms, to enhance immune response and overcome the immune tolerance of tumors. Here, we propose a novel platform to deliver targeted immunomodulatory signaling, enhancing antitumor response. The platform is based on virus-like particles derived from lentiviral capsids. These particles may be engineered to harbor multifunctional ligands on the surface that drive tropism to the tumor site and deliver immunomodulatory signaling, boosting the antitumor response. We generated virus-like particles harboring a PSMA-ligand, TNFSF co-stimulatory ligands 4-1BBL or OX40L, and a membrane-anchored GM-CSF cytokine. The virus-like particles are driven to PSMA-expressing tumors and deliver immunomodulatory signaling from the TNFSF surface ligands and the anchored GM-CSF, inducing T cell proliferation, inhibition of regulatory T cells, and potentiating elimination of tumor cells. The PSMA-targeted particles harboring immunomodulators enhanced antitumor activity in immunocompetent challenged mice and may be explored as a potential tool for cancer immunotherapy.
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2
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Aptamer-mediated transcriptional gene silencing of Fox p 3 inhibits regulatory T cells and potentiates antitumor response. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 25:143-151. [PMID: 34457999 PMCID: PMC8365334 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of immunosuppressive mechanisms may switch the balance between tolerance and surveillance, leading to an increase in antitumor activity. Regulatory T cells play an important role in the control of immunosuppression, exhibiting the unique property of inhibiting T cell proliferation. These cells migrate to tumor sites or may be generated at the tumor site itself from the conversion of lymphocytes exposed to tumor microenvironment signaling. Because of the high similarity between regulatory T cells and other lymphocytes, the available approaches to inhibit this population are nonspecific and may antagonize antitumor response. In this work we explore a new strategy for inhibition of regulatory T cells based on the use of a chimeric aptamer targeting a marker of immune activation harboring a small antisense RNA molecule for transcriptional gene silencing of Foxp3, which is essential for the control of the immunosuppressive phenotype. The silencing of Foxp3 inhibits the immunosuppressive phenotype of regulatory T cells and potentiates the effect of the GVAX antitumor vaccine in immunocompetent animals challenged with syngeneic tumors. This novel approach highlights an alternative method to antagonize regulatory T cell function to augment antitumor immune responses.
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Mascarelli DE, Rosa RSM, Toscaro JM, Semionatto IF, Ruas LP, Fogagnolo CT, Lima GC, Bajgelman MC. Boosting Antitumor Response by Costimulatory Strategies Driven to 4-1BB and OX40 T-cell Receptors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:692982. [PMID: 34277638 PMCID: PMC8277962 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.692982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy explores several strategies to enhance the host immune system’s ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells. The use of antibodies that block immunological checkpoints, such as anti–programed death 1/programed death 1 ligand and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4, is widely recognized to generate a long-lasting antitumor immune response in several types of cancer. Evidence indicates that the elimination of tumors by T cells is the key for tumor control. It is well known that costimulatory and coinhibitory pathways are critical regulators in the activation of T cells. Besides blocking checkpoints inhibitors, the agonistic signaling on costimulatory molecules also plays an important role in T-cell activation and antitumor response. Therefore, molecules driven to costimulatory pathways constitute promising targets in cancer therapy. The costimulation of tumor necrosis factor superfamily receptors on lymphocytes surface may transduce signals that control the survival, proliferation, differentiation, and effector functions of these immune cells. Among the members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, there are 4-1BB and OX40. Several clinical studies have been carried out targeting these molecules, with agonist monoclonal antibodies, and preclinical studies exploring their ligands and other experimental approaches. In this review, we discuss functional aspects of 4-1BB and OX40 costimulation, as well as the progress of its application in immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele E Mascarelli
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rhubia S M Rosa
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jessica M Toscaro
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Medical School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Isadora F Semionatto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Luciana P Ruas
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Carolinne T Fogagnolo
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gabriel C Lima
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Pro Rectory of Graduation, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcio C Bajgelman
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,Medical School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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Pourakbari R, Hajizadeh F, Parhizkar F, Aghebati-Maleki A, Mansouri S, Aghebati-Maleki L. Co-stimulatory agonists: An insight into the immunotherapy of cancer. EXCLI JOURNAL 2021; 20:1055-1085. [PMID: 34267616 PMCID: PMC8278219 DOI: 10.17179/excli2021-3522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint pathways consist of stimulatory pathways, which can function like a strong impulse to promote T helper cells or killer CD8+ cells activation and proliferation. On the other hand, inhibitory pathways keep self-tolerance of the immune response. Increasing immunological activity by stimulating and blocking these signaling pathways are recognized as immune checkpoint therapies. Providing the best responses of CD8+ T cell needs the activation of T cell receptor along with the co-stimulation that is generated via stimulatory checkpoint pathways ligation including Inducible Co-Stimulator (ICOS), CD40, 4-1BB, GITR, and OX40. In cancer, programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1), Programmed cell death ligand-1(PD-L1) and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4) are the most known inhibitory checkpoint pathways, which can hinder the immune responses which have specifically anti-tumor characteristics and attenuate T cell activation and also cytokine production. The use of antagonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that block CTLA-4 or PD-1 activation is used in a variety of malignancies. It has been reported that they can lead to an increase in T cells and thereby strengthen anti-tumor immunity. Agonists of stimulatory checkpoint pathways can induce strong immunologic responses in metastatic patients; however, for achieving long-lasting benefits for the wide range of patients, efficient combinatorial therapies are required. In the present review, we focus on the preclinical and basic research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which immune checkpoint inhibitor blockade or other approaches with co-stimulatory agonists work together to improve T-cell antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Pourakbari
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student's Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farnaz Hajizadeh
- Department of Immunology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Forough Parhizkar
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Aghebati-Maleki
- Student's Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sanaz Mansouri
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Semionatto IF, Palameta S, Toscaro JM, Manrique-Rincón AJ, Ruas LP, Paes Leme AF, Bajgelman MC. Extracellular vesicles produced by immunomodulatory cells harboring OX40 ligand and 4-1BB ligand enhance antitumor immunity. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15160. [PMID: 32939048 PMCID: PMC7495001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72122-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically modified tumor cells harboring immunomodulators may be used as therapeutic vaccines to stimulate antitumor immunity. The therapeutic benefit of these tumor vaccines is extensively investigated and mechanisms by which they boost antitumor response may be further explored. Tumor cells are large secretors of extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs are able to vehiculate RNA and proteins to target cells, and engineered EVs also vehiculate recombinant proteins. In this study, we explore immunomodulatory properties of EVs derived from antitumor vaccines expressing the TNFSF ligands 4-1BBL and OX40L, modulating immune response mediated by immune cells and eliminating tumors. Our results suggest that the EVs secreted by genetically modified tumor cells harboring TNFSF ligands can induce T cell proliferation, inhibit the transcription factor FoxP3, associated with the maintenance of Treg phenotype, and enhance antitumor activity mediated by immune cells. The immunomodulatory extracellular vesicles have potential to be further engineered for developing new approaches for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Ferraz Semionatto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Soledad Palameta
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Marcelino Toscaro
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrea Johanna Manrique-Rincón
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Pereira Ruas
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana Franco Paes Leme
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcio Chaim Bajgelman
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil. .,Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. .,Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Manrique-Rincón AJ, de Carvalho AC, Ribeiro de Camargo ME, Franchini KG, Bajgelman MC. Development of a flow cytometry assay which allows to evaluate the efficiency of immunomodulatory vaccines to enhance T cell-mediated antitumor response. J Biotechnol 2018; 284:11-16. [PMID: 30053502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Since tumor cells exhibit low immunogenicity and can induce several mechanisms of tolerance, the use of monoclonal antibodies or other immunomodulators, targeting costimulation of T cells may mediate the inhibition of immunosuppressive mechanisms, favouring immune surveillance and enhancing the detection and elimination of tumor cells. We developed a new in vitro assay, based on flow cytometry, which allows exploring the therapeutic potential of tumor-derived immunomodulatory lineages, enhancing anti-tumor response. We generated tumor-derived cells that simultaneously co-express eGFP and one immunomodulatory molecule (OX40L, 4-1BBL or GM-CSF). These genetically modified tumor-derived cells are irradiated and then incubated with primary T cells to evaluate the killing activity, which can be estimated by a decrease in the eGFP positive cells. The results have shown correlation with in vivo experiments. This model may contribute to the development of high-throughput assays for the screening of immunomodulators and a reduction in the use of experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Manrique-Rincón
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas-SP, Brazil; Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
| | - Anna C de Carvalho
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Kleber G Franchini
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas-SP, Brazil; Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcio C Bajgelman
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas-SP, Brazil; Medical School, University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil; Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
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