1
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Katsnelson EN, Spengler A, Domenico J, Couts KL, Loh L, Gapin L, McCarter MD, Tobin RP. Dysfunctional states of unconventional T-cell subsets in cancer. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:36-46. [PMID: 37837379 PMCID: PMC10843843 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad129] [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] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Unconventional T cells represent a promising therapeutic agent to overcome the current limitations of immunotherapies due to their universal T-cell receptors, ability to respond directly to cytokine stimulation, and capacity to recruit and modulate conventional immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Like conventional T cells, unconventional T cells can enter a dysfunctional state, and the functional differences associated with this state may provide insight into the discrepancies observed in their role in antitumor immunity in various cancers. The exhaustive signature of unconventional T cells differs from conventional αβ T cells, and understanding the differences in the mechanisms underlying exhaustive differentiation in these cell types may aid in the discovery of new treatments to improve sustained antitumor responses. Ongoing clinical trials investigating therapies that leverage unconventional T-cell populations have shown success in treating hematologic malignancies and reducing the immunosuppressive tumor environment. However, several hurdles remain to extend these promising results into solid tumors. Here we discuss the current knowledge on unconventional T-cell function/dysfunction and consider how the incorporation of therapies that modulate unconventional T-cell exhaustion may aid in overcoming the current limitations of immunotherapy. Additionally, we discuss how components of the tumor microenvironment alter the functions of unconventional T cells and how these changes can affect tumor infiltration by lymphocytes and alter conventional T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N. Katsnelson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Andrea Spengler
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Joanne Domenico
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Kasey L. Couts
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Liyen Loh
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Laurent Gapin
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Martin D. McCarter
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Richard P. Tobin
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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2
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Li J, Gong Y, Wang Y, Huang H, Du H, Cheng L, Ma C, Cai Y, Han H, Tao J, Li G, Cheng P. Classification of regulatory T cells and their role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:94-106. [PMID: 38000204 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is closely related to the final infarct size in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, reducing MIRI can effectively improve the prognosis of AMI patients. At the same time, the healing process after AMI is closely related to the local inflammatory microenvironment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can regulate various physiological and pathological immune inflammatory responses and play an important role in regulating the immune inflammatory response after AMI. However, different subtypes of Tregs have different effects on MIRI, and the same subtype of Tregs may also have different effects at different stages of MIRI. This article systematically reviews the classification and function of Tregs, as well as the role of various subtypes of Tregs in MIRI. A comprehensive understanding of the role of each subtype of Tregs can help design effective methods to control immune reactions, reduce MIRI, and provide new potential therapeutic options for AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Cardiology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang 641100, China
| | - Yajun Gong
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yiren Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huihui Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huan Du
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lianying Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Cui Ma
- Department of Mathematics, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yongxiang Cai
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Hukui Han
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jianhong Tao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Panke Cheng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, China.
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3
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Gonzatti MB, Freire BM, Antunes MM, de Menezes GB, Talbot J, Peron JPS, Basso AS, Keller AC. Targeting adrenergic receptors to mitigate invariant natural killer T cells-induced acute liver injury. iScience 2023; 26:107947. [PMID: 37841583 PMCID: PMC10568435 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell activation by α-galactosylceramide (αGC) potentiates cytotoxic immune responses against tumors. However, αGC-induced liver injury is a limiting factor for iNKT-based immunotherapy. Although adrenergic receptor stimulation is an important immunosuppressive signal that curbs tissue damage induced by inflammation, its effect on the antitumor activity of invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells remains unclear. We use mouse models and pharmacological tools to show that the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) inhibits αGC-induced liver injury without impairing iNKT cells' antitumoral functions. Mechanistically, SNS stimulation prevents the collateral effect of TNF-α production by iNKT cells and neutrophil accumulation in hepatic parenchyma. Our results suggest that the modulation of the adrenergic signaling can be a complementary approach to αGC-based immunotherapy to mitigate iNKT-induced liver injury without compromising its antitumoral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Bauwelz Gonzatti
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Rua Botucatu, 862, 4th floor, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Marton Freire
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Rua Botucatu, 862, 4th floor, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Maísa Mota Antunes
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Minas Gerais 31270-910, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Batista de Menezes
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Minas Gerais 31270-910, Brazil
| | - Jhimmy Talbot
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
| | - Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron
- Department of Immunology-ICB IV, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Salgado Basso
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Rua Botucatu, 862, 4th floor, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Castro Keller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Rua Botucatu, 862, 4th floor, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
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4
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Torre E, Pinton G, Lombardi G, Fallarini S. Melanoma Cells Inhibit iNKT Cell Functions via PGE2 and IDO1. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3498. [PMID: 37444608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a distinct group of immune cells known for their immunoregulatory and cytotoxic activities, which are crucial in immune surveillance against tumors. They have been extensively investigated as a potential target for adoptive cell immunotherapy. Despite the initial promise of iNKT cell-based immunotherapy as a treatment for melanoma patients, its effective utilization has unfortunately yielded inconsistent outcomes. The primary cause of this failure is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we specifically directed our attention towards melanoma cells, as their roles within the TME remain partially understood and require further elucidation. Methods: We conducted co-culture experiments involving melanoma cell lines and iNKT cells. Results: We demonstrated that melanoma cell lines had a significant impact on the proliferation and functions of iNKT cells. Our findings revealed that co-culture with melanoma cell lines led to a significant impairment in the expression of the NKG2D receptor and cytolytic granules in iNKT cells. Moreover, we observed a strong impairment of their cytotoxic capability induced by the presence of melanoma cells. Furthermore, through the use of selective inhibitors targeting IDO1 and COX-2, we successfully demonstrated that the melanoma cell line's ability to impair iNKT cell activation and functions was attributed to the up-regulation of IDO1 expression and PGE2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Torre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Giulia Pinton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Grazia Lombardi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Silvia Fallarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
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5
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Manco R, D’Apice L, Trovato M, Lione L, Salvatori E, Pinto E, Compagnone M, Aurisicchio L, De Berardinis P, Sartorius R. Co-Delivery of the Human NY-ESO-1 Tumor-Associated Antigen and Alpha-GalactosylCeramide by Filamentous Bacteriophages Strongly Enhances the Expansion of Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030672. [PMID: 36992381 PMCID: PMC10059692 DOI: 10.3390/v15030672] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) represent attractive targets in the development of anti-cancer vaccines. The filamentous bacteriophage is a safe and versatile delivery nanosystem, and recombinant bacteriophages expressing TAA-derived peptides at a high density on the viral coat proteins improve TAA immunogenicity, triggering effective in vivo anti-tumor responses. To enhance the efficacy of the bacteriophage as an anti-tumor vaccine, we designed and generated phage particles expressing a CD8+ peptide derived from the human cancer germline antigen NY-ESO-1 decorated with the immunologically active lipid alpha-GalactosylCeramide (α-GalCer), a potent activator of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. The immune response to phage expressing the human TAA NY-ESO-1 and delivering α-GalCer, namely fdNY-ESO-1/α-GalCer, was analyzed either in vitro or in vivo, using an HLA-A2 transgenic mouse model (HHK). By using NY-ESO-1-specific TCR-engineered T cells and iNKT hybridoma cells, we observed the efficacy of the fdNY-ESO-1/α-GalCer co-delivery strategy at inducing activation of both the cell subsets. Moreover, in vivo administration of fdNY-ESO-1 decorated with α-GalCer lipid in the absence of adjuvants strongly enhances the expansion of NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T cells in HHK mice. In conclusion, the filamentous bacteriophage delivering TAA-derived peptides and the α-GalCer lipid may represent a novel and promising anti-tumor vaccination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Manco
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luciana D’Apice
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Trovato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Mirco Compagnone
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0816132716
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6
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Cui G, Shimba A, Jin J, Ogawa T, Muramoto Y, Miyachi H, Abe S, Asahi T, Tani-ichi S, Dijkstra JM, Iwamoto Y, Kryukov K, Zhu Y, Takami D, Hara T, Kitano S, Xu Y, Morita H, Zhang M, Zreka L, Miyata K, Kanaya T, Okumura S, Ito T, Hatano E, Takahashi Y, Watarai H, Oike Y, Imanishi T, Ohno H, Ohteki T, Minato N, Kubo M, Holländer GA, Ueno H, Noda T, Shiroguchi K, Ikuta K. A circulating subset of iNKT cells mediates antitumor and antiviral immunity. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabj8760. [DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abj8760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a group of innate-like T lymphocytes that recognize lipid antigens. They are supposed to be tissue resident and important for systemic and local immune regulation. To investigate the heterogeneity of iNKT cells, we recharacterized iNKT cells in the thymus and peripheral tissues. iNKT cells in the thymus were divided into three subpopulations by the expression of the natural killer cell receptor CD244 and the chemokine receptor CXCR6 and designated as C0 (CD244
−
CXCR6
−
), C1 (CD244
−
CXCR6
+
), or C2 (CD244
+
CXCR6
+
) iNKT cells. The development and maturation of C2 iNKT cells from C0 iNKT cells strictly depended on IL-15 produced by thymic epithelial cells. C2 iNKT cells expressed high levels of IFN-γ and granzymes and exhibited more NK cell–like features, whereas C1 iNKT cells showed more T cell–like characteristics. C2 iNKT cells were influenced by the microbiome and aging and suppressed the expression of the autoimmune regulator AIRE in the thymus. In peripheral tissues, C2 iNKT cells were circulating that were distinct from conventional tissue-resident C1 iNKT cells. Functionally, C2 iNKT cells protected mice from the tumor metastasis of melanoma cells by enhancing antitumor immunity and promoted antiviral immune responses against influenza virus infection. Furthermore, we identified human CD244
+
CXCR6
+
iNKT cells with high cytotoxic properties as a counterpart of mouse C2 iNKT cells. Thus, this study reveals a circulating subset of iNKT cells with NK cell–like properties distinct from conventional tissue-resident iNKT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangwei Cui
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shimba
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jianshi Jin
- Laboratory for Prediction of Cell Systems Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) , Osaka, Japan
| | - Taisaku Ogawa
- Laboratory for Prediction of Cell Systems Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) , Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukiko Muramoto
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Miyachi
- Reproductive Engineering Team, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinya Abe
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuma Asahi
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shizue Tani-ichi
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Johannes M. Dijkstra
- Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yayoi Iwamoto
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kirill Kryukov
- Biomedical Informatics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
- Biological Networks Laboratory, Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yuanbo Zhu
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daichi Takami
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hara
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satsuki Kitano
- Reproductive Engineering Team, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yan Xu
- Medical Innovation Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hajime Morita
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Moyu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Lynn Zreka
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keishi Miyata
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kanaya
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shinya Okumura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Ito
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Etsuro Hatano
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Takahashi
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Watarai
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuichi Oike
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadashi Imanishi
- Biomedical Informatics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohno
- Laboratory for Intestinal Ecosystem, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ohteki
- Department of Biodefense Research, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Medical Innovation Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Kubo
- Laboratory for Cytokine Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Yokohama, Japan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Research Institute for Biomedical Science, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Georg A. Holländer
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Pediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children’s Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hideki Ueno
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Noda
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Shiroguchi
- Laboratory for Prediction of Cell Systems Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) , Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Ikuta
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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7
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Saavedra-Avila NA, Dellabona P, Casorati G, Veerapen N, Besra GS, Howell AR, Porcelli SA. A humanized mouse model for in vivo evaluation of invariant Natural Killer T cell responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1011209. [PMID: 36263021 PMCID: PMC9574442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells mediate immune responses when stimulated by glycolipid agonists presented by CD1d. In extensive studies of synthetic analogues of α-galactosyl ceramides, we identified numerous examples of significant differences in the recognition of specific glycolipids in wild type mice versus human iNKT cell clones or PBMC samples. To predict human iNKT cell responses more accurately in a mouse model, we derived a mouse line in which compound genetic modifications were used to express a human-like iNKT cell TCR along with human CD1d in place of the endogenous mouse proteins. Detailed transcriptional and phenotypic profiling demonstrated that these partially humanized mice developed an expanded population of T cells recognizing CD1d-presented glycolipid antigens, among which a subset characterized by expression of chemokine receptor CXCR6 had features characteristic of authentic iNKT cells. Responses to iNKT cell activating glycolipids in these mice generated cytokine production in vitro and in vivo that showed a pattern of fine specificity that closely resembled that of cultured human iNKT cell clones. Anti-tumor responses to variants of α-galactosyl ceramide in VαKI mice also correlated with their potency for stimulating human iNKT cells. This genetically modified mouse line provides a practical model for human presentation and recognition of iNKT cell activators in the context of a normally functioning immune system, and may furnish valuable opportunities for preclinical evaluation of iNKT cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Natacha Veerapen
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gurdyal S. Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Amy R. Howell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Steven A. Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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8
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Cao L, Morgun E, Genardi S, Visvabharathy L, Cui Y, Huang H, Wang CR. METTL14-dependent m 6A modification controls iNKT cell development and function. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111156. [PMID: 35926466 PMCID: PMC9495716 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most common form of RNA modification, controls CD4+ T cell homeostasis by targeting the IL-7/STAT5/SOCS signaling pathways. The role of m6A modification in unconventional T cell development remains unknown. Using mice with T cell-specific deletion of RNA methyltransferase METTL14 (T-Mettl14−/−), we demonstrate that m6A modification is indispensable for iNKT cell homeostasis. Loss of METTL14-dependent m6A modification leads to the upregulation of apoptosis in double-positive thymocytes, which in turn decreases Vα14-Jα18 gene rearrangements, resulting in drastic reduction of iNKT numbers in the thymus and periphery. Residual T-Mettl14−/− iNKT cells exhibit increased apoptosis, impaired maturation, and decreased responsiveness to IL-2/IL-15 and TCR stimulation. Furthermore, METTL14 knockdown in mature iNKT cells diminishes their cytokine production, correlating with increased Cish expression and decreased TCR signaling. Collectively, our study highlights a critical role for METTL14-dependent-m6A modification in iNKT cell development and function. Cao et al. show that T cell-specific deletion of METTL14, a component of RNA m6A writer complex, leads to severe defects in iNKT cell development, survival, and function. Mechanistically, METTL14-dependent m6A modification controls iNKT cell development in a cell-intrinsic manner by regulating the apoptosis pathway and TCR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eva Morgun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Samantha Genardi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lavanya Visvabharathy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yongyong Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Haochu Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Chyung-Ru Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 320 E. Superior Street, Searle 3-401, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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9
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Delfanti G, Dellabona P, Casorati G, Fedeli M. Adoptive Immunotherapy With Engineered iNKT Cells to Target Cancer Cells and the Suppressive Microenvironment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:897750. [PMID: 35615083 PMCID: PMC9125179 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.897750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are T lymphocytes expressing a conserved semi-invariant TCR specific for lipid antigens (Ags) restricted for the monomorphic MHC class I-related molecule CD1d. iNKT cells infiltrate mouse and human tumors and play an important role in the immune surveillance against solid and hematological malignancies. Because of unique functional features, they are attractive platforms for adoptive cells immunotherapy of cancer compared to conventional T cells. iNKT cells can directly kill CD1d-expressing cancer cells, but also restrict immunosuppressive myelomonocytic populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via CD1d-cognate recognition, promoting anti-tumor responses irrespective of the CD1d expression by cancer cells. Moreover, iNKT cells can be adoptively transferred across MHC barriers without risk of alloreaction because CD1d molecules are identical in all individuals, in addition to their ability to suppress graft vs. host disease (GvHD) without impairing the anti-tumor responses. Within this functional framework, iNKT cells are successfully engineered to acquire a second antigen-specificity by expressing recombinant TCRs or Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) specific for tumor-associated antigens, enabling the direct targeting of antigen-expressing cancer cells, while maintaining their CD1d-dependent functions. These new evidences support the exploitation of iNKT cells for donor unrestricted, and possibly off the shelf, adoptive cell therapies enabling the concurrent targeting of cancer cells and suppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Delfanti
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gloria Delfanti
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Giulia Casorati
| | - Maya Fedeli
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Maya Fedeli
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10
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iNKT cell agonists as vaccine adjuvants to combat infectious diseases. Carbohydr Res 2022; 513:108527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2022.108527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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11
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Anti-PD-1 therapy activates tumoricidic properties of NKT cells and contributes to the overall deceleration of tumor progression in a model of murine mammary carcinoma. VOJNOSANIT PREGL 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/vsp210126039j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim. Immune checkpoint therapy is a well-established therapeutic approach in the treatment of malignant diseases and is thought to be mostly based on facilitating the adaptive immune response. However, the cells of the innate immune response, such as natural killer T (NKT) cells, might also be important for a successful anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy, as they initiate the antitumor immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of anti-PD-1 therapy on the immune response against tumors. Methods. For tumor induction, 4T1 cells synergic to BALB/c back-ground were used, after which mice underwent anti-PD-1 treatment. After the mice were sacrificed, NKT cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages derived from spleen and primary tumor tissue were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results. Anti-PD-1 therapy enhanced the expression of activating molecules CD69, NKp46, and NKG2D in NKT cells of the tumor and spleen. This therapy activated NKT cells directly and indirectly via DCs. Activated NKT cells acquired tumoricidic properties directly, by secreting perforin, and indirectly by stimulating M1 macrophages polarization. Conclusion. Anti-PD-1 therapy activates changes in DCs and macrophages of primary tumor tissue towards protumoricidic activity. Since anti-PD-1 therapy induces significant changes in NKT cells, DCs, and macrophages, the efficacy of the overall antitumor response is increased and has significantly decelerated tumor growth.
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12
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Zhou Y, Li YR, Zeng S, Yang L. Methods for Studying Mouse and Human Invariant Natural Killer T Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2388:35-57. [PMID: 34524660 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1775-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that recognize lipid antigens presented by nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I-like molecule CD1d. iNKT cells play essential roles in regulating immune responses against cancer, viral infection, autoimmune disease, and allergy. However, the study and application of iNKT cells have been hampered by their very small numbers (0.01-1% in mouse and human blood). Here, we describe protocols to (1) generate mouse iNKT cells from mouse mononuclear cells or from mouse hematopoietic stem cells engineered with iNKT T cell receptor (TCR) gene (denoted as mMNC-iNKT cells or mHSC-iNKT cells, respectively), (2) generate human iNKT cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or from human HSC cells engineered with iNKT TCR gene (denoted as hPBMC-iNKT cells or hHSC-iNKT cells, respectively), and (3) characterize mouse and human iNKT cells in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yan-Ruide Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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13
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Chimeric antigen receptor- and natural killer cell receptor-engineered innate killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:2083-2100. [PMID: 34267335 PMCID: PMC8429625 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has demonstrated impressive therapeutic efficacy against hematological malignancies, but multiple challenges have hindered its application, particularly for the eradication of solid tumors. Innate killer cells (IKCs), particularly NK cells, NKT cells, and γδ T cells, employ specific antigen-independent innate tumor recognition and cytotoxic mechanisms that simultaneously display high antitumor efficacy and prevent tumor escape caused by antigen loss or modulation. IKCs are associated with a low risk of developing GVHD, thus offering new opportunities for allogeneic "off-the-shelf" cellular therapeutic products. The unique innate features, wide tumor recognition range, and potent antitumor functions of IKCs make them potentially excellent candidates for cancer immunotherapy, particularly serving as platforms for CAR development. In this review, we first provide a brief summary of the challenges hampering CAR-T-cell therapy applications and then discuss the latest CAR-NK-cell research, covering the advantages, applications, and clinical translation of CAR- and NK-cell receptor (NKR)-engineered IKCs. Advances in synthetic biology and the development of novel genetic engineering techniques, such as gene-editing and cellular reprogramming, will enable the further optimization of IKC-based anticancer therapies.
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14
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Andrlová H, van den Brink MRM, Markey KA. An Unconventional View of T Cell Reconstitution After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Front Oncol 2021; 10:608923. [PMID: 33680931 PMCID: PMC7930482 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.608923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is performed as curative-intent therapy for hematologic malignancies and non-malignant hematologic, immunological and metabolic disorders, however, its broader implementation is limited by high rates of transplantation-related complications and a 2-year mortality that approaches 50%. Robust reconstitution of a functioning innate and adaptive immune system is a critical contributor to good long-term patient outcomes, primarily to prevent and overcome post-transplantation infectious complications and ensure adequate graft-versus-leukemia effects. There is increasing evidence that unconventional T cells may have an important immunomodulatory role after allo-HCT, which may be at least partially dependent on the post-transplantation intestinal microbiome. Here we discuss the role of immune reconstitution in allo-HCT outcome, focusing on unconventional T cells, specifically mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, γδ (gd) T cells, and invariant NK T (iNKT) cells. We provide an overview of the mechanistic preclinical and associative clinical studies that have been performed. We also discuss the emerging role of the intestinal microbiome with regard to hematopoietic function and overall immune reconstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Andrlová
- Department of Immunology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marcel R. M. van den Brink
- Department of Immunology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kate A. Markey
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Exploiting CD1-restricted T cells for clinical benefit. Mol Immunol 2021; 132:126-131. [PMID: 33582549 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
CD1-restricted T cells were first described over 30 years ago along with the cloning of the CD1 family. Around the same time, invariant Natural Killer cells (iNKT) were identified based on invariant TCR-alpha chains with additional expression of natural killer (NK) cell markers. About 5 years later, iNKT were shown to react with CD1d. Since then, iNKT have been shown to be a major population of CD1d-restricted T cells in humans and many animals. Like NK cells, iNKT are innate lymphocytes with rapid and wide-ranging effector potential. These activities include cytotoxicity and an unusually broad and high-level cytokine production. The development of highly-specific methods of isolating, stimulating, expanding or depleting these relatively rare cells and controlling their potent activities has stimulated considerable interest in therapeutic targeting of iNKT cells. Potential applications include cancers, inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune among other diseases. To date, most trials have targeted various cancers, there are 2 published trials in viral hepatitis and one in sickle cell lung disease. Uniform safety, evidence of immunologic activity and increasingly clinical efficacy have been seen. Approaches to targeting iNKT cells in clinical development include highly specific natural glycolipid ligands presented by CD1d and chemical analogues thereof and monoclonal antibody-based targeting of iNKT cells. In the case of iNKT cell-based therapies, novel approaches include arming them with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and recombinant TCRs (rTCR), gene editing and allogeneic use. Controlling the iTCR:CD1d molecular interaction and consequences is a unique and promising therapeutic technology.
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16
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Kharkwal SS, Johndrow CT, Veerapen N, Kharkwal H, Saavedra-Avila NA, Carreño LJ, Rothberg S, Zhang J, Garforth SJ, Jervis PJ, Zhang L, Donda A, Besra AK, Cox LR, Almo SC, Howell A, Evans EE, Zauderer M, Besra GS, Porcelli SA. Serial Stimulation of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells with Covalently Stabilized Bispecific T-cell Engagers Generates Antitumor Immunity While Avoiding Anergy. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1788-1801. [PMID: 33483371 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) mediate strong antitumor immunity when stimulated by glycolipid agonists. However, attempts to develop effective iNKT cell agonists for clinical applications have been thwarted by potential problems with dose-limiting toxicity and by activation-induced iNKT cell anergy, which limits the efficacy of repeated administration. To overcome these issues, we developed a unique bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) based on covalent conjugates of soluble CD1d with photoreactive analogues of the glycolipid α-galactosylceramide. Here we characterize the in vivo activities of iNKT cell-specific BiTEs and assess their efficacy for cancer immunotherapy in mouse models using transplantable colorectal cancer or melanoma tumor lines engineered to express human Her2 as a tumor-associated antigen. Systemic administration of conjugated BiTEs stimulated multiple iNKT cell effector functions including cytokine release, secondary activation of NK cells, and induction of dendritic cell maturation and also initiated epitope spreading for tumor-specific CD8+ cytolytic T-cell responses. The antitumor effects of iNKT-cell activation with conjugated BiTEs were further enhanced by simultaneous checkpoint blockade with antibodies to CTLA-4, providing a potential approach for combination immunotherapy. Multiple injections of covalently stabilized iNKT cell-specific BiTEs activated iNKT cells without causing iNKT cell anergy or exhaustion, thus enabling repeated administration for effective and nontoxic cancer immunotherapy regimens. SIGNIFICANCE: Covalently stabilized conjugates that engage the antigen receptors of iNKT cells and target a tumor antigen activate potent antitumor immunity without induction of anergy or depletion of the responding iNKT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalu Sharma Kharkwal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,Elstar Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher T Johndrow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Natacha Veerapen
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Himanshu Kharkwal
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Centre, Bronx, New York
| | - Noemi A Saavedra-Avila
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Leandro J Carreño
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Samantha Rothberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Jinghang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Scott J Garforth
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Peter J Jervis
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Center for Systems Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Alena Donda
- Department of Oncology and Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amareeta K Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Liam R Cox
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Gurdyal S Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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17
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Leadbetter EA, Karlsson MCI. Invariant natural killer T cells balance B cell immunity. Immunol Rev 2021; 299:93-107. [PMID: 33438287 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells mediate rapid immune responses which bridge the gap between innate and adaptive responses to pathogens while also providing key regulation to maintain immune homeostasis. Both types of important iNKT immune responses are mediated through interactions with innate and adaptive B cells. As such, iNKT cells sit at the decision-making fulcrum between regulating inflammatory or autoreactive B cells and supporting protective or regulatory B cell populations. iNKT cells interpret the signals in their environment to set the tone for subsequent adaptive responses, with outcomes ranging from getting licensed to maintain homeostasis as an iNKT regulatory cell (iNKTreg ) or being activated to become an iNKT follicular helper (iNKTFH ) cell supporting pathogen-specific effector B cells. Here we review iNKT and B cell cooperation across the spectrum of immune outcomes, including during allergy and autoimmune disease, tumor surveillance and immunotherapy, or pathogen defense and vaccine responses. Because of their key role as influencers, iNKT cells provide a valuable target for therapeutic interventions. Understanding the nature of the interactions between iNKT and B cells will enable the development of clinical interventions to strategically target regulatory iNKT and B cell populations or inflammatory ones, depending on the circumstance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Leadbetter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mikael C I Karlsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Wang Y, Bhave MS, Yagita H, Cardell SL. Natural Killer T-Cell Agonist α-Galactosylceramide and PD-1 Blockade Synergize to Reduce Tumor Development in a Preclinical Model of Colon Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581301. [PMID: 33193386 PMCID: PMC7606378 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine and human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes are activated by α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) presented on CD1d. α-GalCer was first described as a lipid that had strong anti-metastatic effects in a mouse melanoma model, and it has subsequently been shown to induce efficient iNKT cell dependent tumor immunity in several tumor models. We have shown that α-GalCer treatment leads to a weak reduction of polyp burden in the autochthonous ApcMin/+ mouse model for human colon cancer, however this treatment resulted in upregulation of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 on iNKT cells. While anti-PD-1 treatment can prevent immune-suppression in other cancer types, human colon cancer is generally resistant to this treatment. Here we have used the ApcMin/+ model to investigate whether a combined treatment with α-GalCer and PD-1 blockade results in improved effects on polyp development. We find that PD-1 expression was high on T cells in polyps and lamina propria (LP) of ApcMin/+ mice compared to polyp free Apc+/+ littermates. Anti-PD-1 treatment alone promoted Tbet expression in iNKT cells and CD4 T cells, but did not significantly reduce polyp numbers. However, the combined treatment with anti-PD-1 and α-GalCer had synergistic effects, resulting in highly significant reduction of polyp numbers in the small and large intestine. Addition of PD-1 blockade to α-GalCer treatment prevented loss of iNKT cells that were skewed towards a TH1-like iNKT1 phenotype specifically in polyps. It also resulted in TH1 skewing and increased granzyme B expression of CD4 T cells. Taken together this demonstrates that a combination of immune stimulation targeting iNKT cells and checkpoint blockade may be a promising approach to develop for improved tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Madhura S Bhave
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Susanna L Cardell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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19
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Exley MA, Gensollen T, Blumberg RS. A nano-engager for iNKT cells in cancer. NATURE CANCER 2020; 1:1032-1034. [PMID: 35122067 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-020-00138-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Exley
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Imvax, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Agentus, Lexington, MA, USA.
| | - Thomas Gensollen
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard S Blumberg
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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20
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Middleton MR, Hoeller C, Michielin O, Robert C, Caramella C, Öhrling K, Hauschild A. Intratumoural immunotherapies for unresectable and metastatic melanoma: current status and future perspectives. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:885-897. [PMID: 32713938 PMCID: PMC7492252 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of human intratumoural immunotherapy (HIT-IT) is a major step forward in the management of unresectable melanoma. The direct injection of treatments into melanoma lesions can cause cell lysis and induce a local immune response, and might be associated with a systemic immune response. Directly injecting immunotherapies into tumours achieves a high local concentration of immunostimulatory agent while minimising systemic exposure and, as such, HIT-IT agents are associated with lower toxicity than systemic immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), enabling their potential use in combination with other therapies. Consequently, multiple HIT-IT agents, including oncolytic viruses, pattern-recognition receptor agonists, injected CPIs, cytokines and immune glycolipids, are under investigation. This review considers the current clinical development status of HIT-IT agents as monotherapy and in combination with systemic CPIs, and the practical aspects of administering and assessing the response to these agents. The future of HIT-IT probably lies in its use in combination with systemic CPIs; data from Phase 2 trials indicate a synergy between HIT-IT and CPIs. Data also suggest that the addition of HIT-IT to a CPI might generate responses in CPI-refractory tumours, thereby overcoming resistance and addressing a current unmet need in unresectable and metastatic melanoma for treatment options following progression after CPI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Middleton
- University of Oxford Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
| | - Christoph Hoeller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Robert
- Department of Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, and Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Caroline Caramella
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Axel Hauschild
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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21
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License to Kill: When iNKT Cells Are Granted the Use of Lethal Cytotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113909. [PMID: 32486268 PMCID: PMC7312231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a non-conventional, innate-like, T cell population that recognize lipid antigens presented by the cluster of differentiation (CD)1d molecule. Although iNKT cells are mostly known for mediating several immune responses due to their massive and diverse cytokine release, these cells also work as effectors in various contexts thanks to their cytotoxic potential. In this Review, we focused on iNKT cell cytotoxicity; we provide an overview of iNKT cell subsets, their activation cues, the mechanisms of iNKT cell cytotoxicity, the specific roles and outcomes of this activity in various contexts, and how iNKT killing functions are currently activated in cancer immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives for the better understanding and potential uses of iNKT cell killing functions in tumor immunosurveillance.
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22
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McNerney KO, Karageorgos SA, Hogarty MD, Bassiri H. Enhancing Neuroblastoma Immunotherapies by Engaging iNKT and NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:873. [PMID: 32457760 PMCID: PMC7225357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and, in the high-risk group, has a 5-year mortality rate of ~50%. The high mortality rate and significant treatment-related morbidities associated with current standard of care therapies belie the critical need for more tolerable and effective treatments for this disease. While the monoclonal antibody dinutuximab has demonstrated the potential for immunotherapy to improve overall NB outcomes, the 5-year overall survival of high-risk patients has not yet substantially changed. The frequency and type of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) and natural killer cells (NKs) has been associated with improved outcomes in several solid and liquid malignancies, including NB. Indeed, iNKTs and NKs inhibit tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), kill cancer stem cells (CSCs) and neuroblasts, and robustly secrete cytokines to recruit additional immune effectors. These capabilities, and promising pre-clinical and early clinical data suggest that iNKT- and NK-based therapies may hold promise as both stand-alone and combination treatments for NB. In this review we will summarize the biologic features of iNKTs and NKs that confer advantages for NB immunotherapy, discuss the barriers imposed by the NB tumor microenvironment, and examine the current state of such therapies in pre-clinical models and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O McNerney
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Spyridon A Karageorgos
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hamid Bassiri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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23
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Hassane M, Jouan Y, Creusat F, Soulard D, Boisseau C, Gonzalez L, Patin EC, Heuzé-Vourc'h N, Sirard JC, Faveeuw C, Trottein F, Si-Tahar M, Baranek T, Paget C. Interleukin-7 protects against bacterial respiratory infection by promoting IL-17A-producing innate T-cell response. Mucosal Immunol 2020; 13:128-139. [PMID: 31628425 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-019-0212-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a critical cytokine in B- and T-lymphocyte development and maturation. Recent evidence suggests that IL-7 is a preferential homeostatic and survival factor for RORγt+ innate T cells such as natural killer T (NKT) cells, γδT cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in the periphery. Given the important contribution of these populations in antibacterial immunity at barrier sites, we questioned whether IL-7 could be instrumental in boosting the local host immune response against respiratory bacterial infection. By using a cytokine-monoclonal antibody approach, we illustrated a role for topical IL-7 delivery in increasing the pool of RORγt+ IL-17A-producing innate T cells. Prophylactic IL-7 treatment prior to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection led to better bacterial containment, a process associated with increased neutrophilia and that depended on γδT cells and IL-17A. Last, combined delivery of IL-7 and α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a potent agonist for invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, conferred an almost total protection in terms of survival, an effect associated with enhanced IL-17 production by innate T cells and neutrophilia. Collectively, we provide a proof of concept that IL-7 enables fine-tuning of innate T- cell functions. This might pave the way for considering IL-7 as an innovative biotherapeutic against bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Hassane
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Youenn Jouan
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France.,Service de Médecine Intensive et Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Tours, France
| | - Florent Creusat
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Daphnée Soulard
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Chloé Boisseau
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Loïc Gonzalez
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emmanuel C Patin
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Heuzé-Vourc'h
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Claude Sirard
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Christelle Faveeuw
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - François Trottein
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Mustapha Si-Tahar
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Thomas Baranek
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christophe Paget
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, University of Lille, CHU Lille- Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59000, Lille, France. .,INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR, 1100, Tours, France. .,Université de Tours, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, Tours, France.
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24
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Bedard M, Shrestha D, Priestman DA, Wang Y, Schneider F, Matute JD, Iyer SS, Gileadi U, Prota G, Kandasamy M, Veerapen N, Besra G, Fritzsche M, Zeissig S, Shevchenko A, Christianson JC, Platt FM, Eggeling C, Blumberg RS, Salio M, Cerundolo V. Sterile activation of invariant natural killer T cells by ER-stressed antigen-presenting cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:23671-23681. [PMID: 31690657 PMCID: PMC6876220 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910097116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells have the unique ability to shape immunity during antitumor immune responses and other forms of sterile and nonsterile inflammation. Recent studies have highlighted a variety of classes of endogenous and pathogen-derived lipid antigens that can trigger iNKT cell activation under sterile and nonsterile conditions. However, the context and mechanisms that drive the presentation of self-lipid antigens in sterile inflammation remain unclear. Here we report that endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stressed myeloid cells, via signaling events modulated by the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway, increase CD1d-mediated presentation of immunogenic endogenous lipid species, which results in enhanced iNKT cell activation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we demonstrate that actin cytoskeletal reorganization during ER stress results in an altered distribution of CD1d on the cell surface, which contributes to enhanced iNKT cell activation. These results define a previously unidentified mechanism that controls iNKT cell activation during sterile inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bedard
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dilip Shrestha
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David A Priestman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, OX1 3QT Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yuting Wang
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Falk Schneider
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Juan D Matute
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Shankar S Iyer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Uzi Gileadi
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gennaro Prota
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matheswaran Kandasamy
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Natacha Veerapen
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Egdbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Gurdyal Besra
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Egdbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, OX3 7LF Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Zeissig
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrej Shevchenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - John C Christianson
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, OX3 7LD Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frances M Platt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, OX1 3QT Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Eggeling
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Department of Biophysical Imaging, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies e.V., 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Richard S Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Mariolina Salio
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS Oxford, United Kingdom;
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25
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Washah H, Agoni C, Olotu FA, Munsamy G, Soliman MES. Tweaking α -Galactoceramides: Probing the Dynamical Mechanisms of Improved Recognition for Invariant Natural Killer T-cell Receptor in Cancer Immunotherapeutics. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2019; 21:1354-1367. [PMID: 31738132 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666191118103342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The last few decades have witnessed groundbreaking research geared towards immune surveillance mechanisms and have yielded significant improvements in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This approach narrows down on the development of therapeutic agents that either activate or enhance the recognitive function of the immune system to facilitate the destruction of malignant cells. The α -galactosylceramide derivative, KRN7000, is an immunotherapeutic agent that has gained attention due to its pharmacological ability to activate CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T(iNKT) cells with notable potency against cancer cells in mouse models; a therapeutic success was not well replicated in human models. Dual structural modification of KRN7000 entailing the incorporation of hydrocinnamoyl ester on C6" and C4-OH truncation of the sphingoid base led to the development of AH10-7 which, interestingly, exhibited high potency in human cells. OBJECTIVE/METHODS Therefore, to gain molecular insights into the structural dynamics and selective mechanisms of AH10-7 for human variants, we employed integrative molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic calculations to investigate the inhibitory activities of KRN7000 andAH10-7 on hTCR-CD1d towards activating iNKT. RESULTS Interestingly, our findings revealed that AH10-7 exhibited higher affinity binding and structural effects on hTCR-CD1d, as mediated by the incorporated hydrocinnamoyl ester moiety which accounted for stronger intermolecular interactions with 'non-common' binding site residues. CONCLUSION Findings extracted from this study further reveal important molecular and structural perspectives that could aid in the design of novel α-GalCer derivatives for cancer immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Washah
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Fisayo A Olotu
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Geraldene Munsamy
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
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26
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Yu C, Ding Z, Liang H, Zhang B, Chen X. The Roles of TIF1γ in Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:979. [PMID: 31632911 PMCID: PMC6783507 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional intermediary factor 1 γ (TIF1γ), also known as TRIM33, RFG7, PTC7, or Ectodermin, is an E3 ubiquitin-ligase family member with a ring-box-coiled-coil region. It can regulate TGF-β/Smad signaling in two different ways in different cellular contexts. On one hand, TIF1γ can monoubiquitinate Smad4 to inhibit the formation of Smad2/3/4 nuclear complexes. On the other hand, TIF1γ can function as a cofactor of phosphorylated (p)-Smad2/3, competing with Smad4 to inhibit the formation of the Smad2/3/4 complex. In addition, TIF1γ has been reported to play a role in transcription elongation, cellular differentiation, embryonic development, and mitosis. As transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer, and TIF1γ was reported to be involved in the regulation of TGF-β superfamily signaling, studies on TIF1γ during the last decade have focused on its role in the development of cancer. However, TIF1γ can function either as a tumor suppressor or promoter in different cellular contexts, yet there are few reviews focusing on the roles of TIF1γ in cancer. Hence, in this paper we systematically review and discuss the roles of TIF1γ in cancer. Firstly, we review the biological features, the regulatory mechanisms and the related signaling pathways of TIF1γ. Next, we illustrate the roles of TIF1γ in different tumors. We then provide a tentative hypothesis that explains the dual roles of TIF1 γ in cancer. Finally, we provide our viewpoint regarding the future developments of cancer research focusing on TIF1γ, especially in relation to the effects of TIF1γ on tumoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Yu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zeyang Ding
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huifang Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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27
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Weber F, Junger H, Werner JM, Velez Char N, Rejas C, Schlitt HJ, Hornung M. Increased cytoplasmatic expression of cancer immune surveillance receptor CD1d in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Cancer Med 2019; 8:7065-7073. [PMID: 31560833 PMCID: PMC6853836 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are associated with rapid tumor growth, short survival time and without any promising therapy to improve the poor prognosis. In this study, expression of immunoregulative receptor CD1d and lymphocyte infiltration in different thyroid tumors as well as in healthy tissue were analyzed in order to find new targets for an immunotherapeutic approach. METHODS CD1d immunohistochemistry was performed in samples of 18 anaplastic, 17 follicular, 27 papillary, and 4 medullary thyroid carcinomas as well as in 19 specimens from normal thyroid tissue and additionally in 10 samples of sarcoma, seven malignant melanoma and three spindle-cell lung carcinoma. Furthermore, thyroid samples were stained with antibodies against CD3, CD20, CD56, CD68, and LCA in order to analyze lymphocyte infiltration. RESULTS For the first time CD1d receptor expression on normal thyroid tissue could be demonstrated. Moreover, anaplastic thyroid carcinomas showed significantly higher expression levels compared to other thyroid samples. Most astonishingly, CD1d expression disappeared from the cellular surface and was detected rather in the cytoplasm of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. In addition, histologically similar tumors to anaplastic carcinoma like sarcoma and malignant melanoma revealed distinct CD1d staining patterns. Furthermore, infiltration of T cells, B cells, and macrophages in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas was different when compared to normal thyroid tissue and all other thyroid carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Anaplastic thyroid carcinomas show significantly higher expression of CD1d, a receptor for NKT cells, which are subject of several anticancer therapy studies. These results may offer a novel approach to explore immunotherapeutic treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Weber
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Henrik Junger
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jens M Werner
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Velez Char
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carolina Rejas
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hans J Schlitt
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hornung
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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28
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Manson J, Hoffman R, Chen S, Ramadan MH, Billiar TR. Innate-Like Lymphocytes Are Immediate Participants in the Hyper-Acute Immune Response to Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1501. [PMID: 31354702 PMCID: PMC6638190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse outcomes following severe traumatic injury are frequently attributed to a state of immunological dysfunction acquired during treatment and recovery. Recent genomic evidence however, suggests that the trajectory toward development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is already in play at admission (<2 h following injury). Improved understanding of the molecular events during the hyper-acute immunological response to trauma, <2 h following injury, may reveal opportunities to ameliorate organ injury and expedite recovery. Lymphocytes have not previously been considered key participants in this early response; however, two observations in human trauma patients namely, raised populations of circulating NKT and NK cells during the hyper-acute phase and persistent lymphopenia beyond 48 h show association with the development of MODS during recovery. These highlight the need for greater understanding of lymphocyte function in the hyper-acute phase of inflammation. An exploratory study was therefore conducted in a well-established murine model of trauma and hemorrhagic shock (T&HS) to investigate (1) the development of lymphopenia in the murine model and (2) the phenotypic and functional changes of three innate-like lymphocyte subsets, NK1.1+ CD3–, NK1.1+ CD3+, γδTCR+ CD3+ cells, focusing on the first 6 h following injury. Rapid changes in phenotype and function were demonstrated in these cells within blood and spleen, but responses in lung tissue lagged behind. This study describes the immediacy of the innate-like lymphocyte response to trauma in different body compartments and considers new lines for further investigation to develop our understanding of MODS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Manson
- Department of Surgery, F1281 Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Barts Centre for Trauma Sciences, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary Hoffman
- Department of Surgery, F1281 Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shuhua Chen
- Department of Surgery, F1281 Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mostafa H Ramadan
- Department of Surgery, F1281 Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Timothy R Billiar
- Department of Surgery, F1281 Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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29
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Singh AK, Rhost S, Löfbom L, Cardell SL. Defining a novel subset of CD1d-dependent type II natural killer T cells using natural killer cell-associated markers. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12794. [PMID: 31141185 PMCID: PMC6851763 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are αβ T cell receptor (TCR) expressing innate‐like T cells that display natural killer (NK) cell markers. Based on TCR characteristics, they are divided into two groups restricted to the MHC class I‐like molecule CD1d. Type I NKT cells, most extensively studied, are identified by a semi‐invariant Vα14‐Jα18 (mouse, Vα24‐Jα18 in humans) TCR reactive to the prototypic ligand α‐galactosylceramide presented on CD1d. In contrast, type II NKT cells display diverse TCR reacting to different CD1d‐presented ligands. There are no reagents that identify all type II NKT cells, limiting their exploration. Here, we searched for novel type II NKT cells by comparing Jα18−/−MHCII−/− mice that harbour type II but not type I NKT cells, and CD1d−/−MHCII−/− mice, lacking all NKT cells. We identified significantly larger populations of CD4+ and CD4−CD8− (double negative, DN) TCRβ+ cells expressing NKG2D or NKG2A/C/E in Jα18−/−MHCII−/− mice compared with CD1d−/−MHCII−/− mice, suggesting that 30%‐50% of these cells were type II NKT cells. They expressed CD122, NK1.1, CXCR3 and intermediate/low levels of CD45RB. Further, the CD4+ subset was CD69+, while the DN cells were CD49b+ and CD62L+. Both subsets expressed the NKT cell‐associated promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger (PLZF) transcription factor and Tbet, while fewer cells expressed RORγt. NKG2D+ CD4+ and DN populations were producers of IFN‐γ, but rarely IL‐4 and IL‐17. Taken together, we identify a novel subset of primary CD4+ and DN type II NKT cells that expresses NKG2 receptors have typical NKT cell phenotypes and a TH1‐like cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avadhesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sara Rhost
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Löfbom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanna L Cardell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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30
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Zhang Y, Springfield R, Chen S, Li X, Feng X, Moshirian R, Yang R, Yuan W. α-GalCer and iNKT Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy: Realizing the Therapeutic Potentials. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1126. [PMID: 31244823 PMCID: PMC6562299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
NKT cells are CD1d-restricted innate-like T cells expressing both T cell receptor and NK cell markers. The major group of NKT cells in both human and mice is the invariant NKT (iNKT) cells and the best-known function of iNKT cells is their potent anti-tumor function in mice. Since its discovery 25 years ago, the prototype ligand of iNKT cells, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) has been used in over 30 anti-tumor clinical trials with mostly suboptimal outcomes. To realize its therapeutic potential, numerous preclinical models have been developed to optimize the scheme and strategies for α-GalCer-based cancer immunotherapies. Nevertheless, since there is no standard protocol for α-GalCer delivery, we reviewed the preclinical studies with a focus on B16 melanoma model in the goal of identifying the best treatment schemes for α-GalCer treatment. We then reviewed the current progress in developing more clinically relevant mouse models for these preclinical studies, most notably the generation of new mouse models with a humanized CD1d/iNKT cell system. With ever-emerging novel iNKT cell ligands, invention of novel α-GalCer delivery strategies and significantly improved preclinical models for optimizing these new strategies, one can be hopeful that the full potential of anti-tumor potential for α-GalCer will be realized in the not too distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingting Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Springfield
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Siyang Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xiaotian Feng
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rosa Moshirian
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rirong Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Weiming Yuan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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31
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Hirakawa Y, Ogata T, Sasada T, Yamashita T, Itoh K, Tanaka H, Okuda K. Immunological consequences following splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:848-856. [PMID: 31281459 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune status in patients with liver cirrhosis is generally impaired due to concomitant hypersplenism. As the spleen is the largest lymphoid organ, deleterious events resulting from splenectomy are of concern in these patients. However, the immunological consequences after splenectomy have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, the immune status after splenectomy was comprehensively examined. Splenectomy was performed in 11 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism, and the immune status in peripheral blood was examined and compared before and at 1, 3 and 6 months after splenectomy. Splenectomy significantly lowered the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, due to a surge in lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation at 3 and 6 months after splenectomy. The frequency of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells decreased after splenectomy, whereas the frequency of CD8+ T cells increased. Notably, the frequencies of the naïve and central memory subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreased, whereas those of the effector memory subset trended upward. In addition, the frequencies of other immune cells such as γδ T cells, natural killer T cells and natural killer cells transiently increased, while inhibitory cells such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells significantly decreased. T-cell responses to viral- and tumor-associated antigens increased after splenectomy in five of eight and two of five patients, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to precisely examine the drastic changes of immunological phenotypes in peripheral blood after splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis. Our findings suggested that splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis may ameliorate the impaired immune status, possibly by reducing suppressive cells and enhancing the effector cell population and function, which could, at least in part, explain the mechanisms responsible for the clinical benefits of splenectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hirakawa
- Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Toshiro Ogata
- Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.,Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-8543, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Sasada
- Cancer Vaccine Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka 839-0863, Japan.,Cancer Vaccine Center, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa 241-8515, Japan
| | - Takuto Yamashita
- Biostatistics Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kyogo Itoh
- Cancer Vaccine Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka 839-0863, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tanaka
- Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Koji Okuda
- Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
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32
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Hossain M, Kubes P. Innate immune cells orchestrate the repair of sterile injury in the liver and beyond. Eur J Immunol 2019; 49:831-841. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201847485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mokarram Hossain
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
- Calvin, Phoebe, and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic DiseasesUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
| | - Paul Kubes
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
- Calvin, Phoebe, and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic DiseasesUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of Calgary Calgary Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada
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33
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Canning M, Guo G, Yu M, Myint C, Groves MW, Byrd JK, Cui Y. Heterogeneity of the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Immune Landscape and Its Impact on Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:52. [PMID: 31024913 PMCID: PMC6465325 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are highly aggressive, multi-factorial tumors in the upper aerodigestive tract affecting more than half a million patients worldwide each year. Alcohol, tobacco, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are well known causative factors for HNSCCs. Current treatment options for HNSCCs are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combinatorial remedies. Over the past decade, despite the marked improvement in clinical outcome of many tumor types, the overall 5-year survival rate of HNSCCs remained ∼40–50% largely due to poor availability of effective therapeutic options for HNSCC patients with recurrent disease. Therefore, there is an urgent and unmet need for the identification of specific molecular signatures that better predict the clinical outcomes and markers that serve as better therapeutic targets. With recent technological advances in genomic and epigenetic analyses, our knowledge of HNSCC molecular characteristics and classification has been greatly enriched. Clinical and genomic meta-analysis of multicohort HNSCC gene expression profile has clearly demonstrated that HPV+ and HPV- HNSCCs are not only derived from tissues of different anatomical regions, but also present with different mutation profiles, molecular characteristics, immune landscapes, and clinical prognosis. Here, we briefly review our current understanding of the biology, molecular profile, and immunological landscape of the HPV+ and HPV- HNSCCs with an emphasis on the diversity and heterogeneity of HNSCC clinicopathology and therapeutic responses. After a review of recent advances and specific challenges for effective immunotherapy of HNSCCs, we then conclude with a discussion on the need to further enhance our understanding of the unique characteristics of HNSCC heterogeneity and the plasticity of immune landscape. Increased knowledge regarding the immunological characteristics of HPV+ and HPV- HNSCCs would improve therapeutic targeting and immunotherapy strategies for different subtypes of HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Canning
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Gang Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Calvin Myint
- Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Michael W Groves
- Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - James Kenneth Byrd
- Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgia Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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34
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Paget C, Trottein F. Mechanisms of Bacterial Superinfection Post-influenza: A Role for Unconventional T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:336. [PMID: 30881357 PMCID: PMC6405625 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread application of vaccination programs and antiviral drug treatments, influenza viruses are still among the most harmful human pathogens. Indeed, influenza results in significant seasonal and pandemic morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, severe bacterial infections can occur in the aftermath of influenza virus infection, and contribute substantially to the excess morbidity and mortality associated with influenza. Here, we review the main features of influenza viruses and current knowledge about the mechanical and immune mechanisms that underlie post-influenza secondary bacterial infections. We present the emerging literature describing the role of "innate-like" unconventional T cells in post-influenza bacterial superinfection. Unconventional T cell populations span the border between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and are prevalent in mucosal tissues (including the airways). They mainly comprise Natural Killer T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells and γδ T cells. We provide an overview of the principal functions that these cells play in pulmonary barrier functions and immunity, highlighting their unique ability to sense environmental factors and promote protection against respiratory bacterial infections. We focus on two major opportunistic pathogens involved in superinfections, namely Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. We discuss mechanisms through which influenza viruses alter the antibacterial activity of unconventional T cells. Lastly, we discuss recent fundamental advances and possible therapeutic approaches in which unconventional T cells would be targeted to prevent post-influenza bacterial superinfections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Paget
- Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Tours, France.,Faculty of Medicine, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - François Trottein
- U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Université de Lille, Lille, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1019, Lille, France.,Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France.,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
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35
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Wang Y, Sedimbi SK, Löfbom L, Besra GS, Porcelli SA, Cardell SL. Promotion or Suppression of Murine Intestinal Polyp Development by iNKT Cell Directed Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:352. [PMID: 30881361 PMCID: PMC6405695 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycosphingolipid α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) is a well-described immune activator with strong anti-tumor properties in animal models. It is presented on CD1d and acts by stimulating the invariant, type I, natural killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes to rapidly secrete TH1 and TH2 associated cytokines. This in turn promotes activation of a diversity of immune cells including natural killer (NK) cells with anti-tumor functions. Prior to tumor development, iNKT cells can also perform tumor surveillance and naturally protect from emergence of cancer. In contrast, we have recently demonstrated that iNKT cells naturally promote polyps in the spontaneous murine adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) ApcMin/+ model for colon cancer, associated with suppressed TH1 immunity and enhanced immunoregulation. Here we investigated whether iNKT cell directed immunotherapy could subvert the polyp promoting function of iNKT cells and reduce polyp growth in this model. We treated ApcMin/+ mice with α-GalCer, or synthetic derivatives of this ligand (C-glycoside and C20:2) that have enhanced immunoregulatory properties. Treatment with iNKT cell ligands led to increased iNKT cell division, but reduced iNKT cell frequencies, lower NK1.1 expression and elevation of PD-1. ApcMin/+ mice that had been treated either long-term (5–15 weeks of age), or short-term (12–15 weeks of age) with α-GalCer demonstrated a significant decrease in polyp burden. Surprisingly, long-term treatment with the TH1 biasing ligand C-glycoside did not have significant effects on polyps, while long-term treatment with the TH2 biasing ligand C20:2 enhanced polyp growth. In stark contrast, short-term treatment with C20:2 led to reduction in polyp numbers and size. Reduced polyp burden after long-term treatment was associated with increased expression of genes indicating a pro-inflammatory polyp microenvironment. Polyp-reducing short-term treatment led to CD8 T cell activation specifically in polyps, and decreased tumor infiltrating and splenic macrophages, and a switch toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Thus, iNKT cell directed therapy could subvert the natural polyp enhancing function of iNKT cells, overcome immunosuppression, and reduce polyps. However, different iNKT cell activating ligands had opposite effects, and the timing of treatment had a major influence on outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Saikiran K Sedimbi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Löfbom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gurdyal S Besra
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Susanna L Cardell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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36
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Verbeke R, Lentacker I, Breckpot K, Janssens J, Van Calenbergh S, De Smedt SC, Dewitte H. Broadening the Message: A Nanovaccine Co-loaded with Messenger RNA and α-GalCer Induces Antitumor Immunity through Conventional and Natural Killer T Cells. ACS NANO 2019; 13:1655-1669. [PMID: 30742405 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b07660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA encoding tumor antigens has the potential to evoke effective antitumor immunity. This study reports on a nanoparticle platform, named mRNA Galsomes, that successfully co-delivers nucleoside-modified antigen-encoding mRNA and the glycolipid antigen and immunopotentiator α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) to antigen-presenting cells after intravenous administration. By co-formulating low doses of α-GC, mRNA Galsomes induce a pluripotent innate and adaptive tumor-specific immune response in mice, with invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) as a driving force. In comparison, mRNA Galsomes exhibit advantages over the state-of-the-art cancer vaccines using unmodified ovalbumin (OVA)-encoding mRNA, as we observed up to seven times more tumor-infiltrating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells, combined with a strong iNKT cell and NK cell activation. In addition, the presence of suppressive myeloid cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor-associated macrophages) in the tumor microenvironment was significantly lowered. Owing to these antitumor effects, OVA mRNA Galsomes significantly reduced tumor growth in established E.G7-OVA lymphoma, with a complete tumor rejection in 40% of the animals. Moreover, therapeutic vaccination with mRNA Galsomes enhanced the responsiveness to treatment with a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor in B16-OVA melanoma, as evidenced by a synergistic reduction of tumor outgrowth and a significantly prolonged median survival. Taken together, these data show that intravenously administered mRNA Galsomes can provide controllable, multifaceted, and effective antitumor immunity, especially when combined with checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Jette 1090 , Belgium
| | - Jonas Janssens
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Jette 1090 , Belgium
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37
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Chen D, Liu H, Wang Y, Chen S, Liu J, Li W, Dou H, Hou W, Meng M. Study of the adoptive immunotherapy on rheumatoid arthritis with Thymus-derived invariant natural killer T cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 67:427-440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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38
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Takami M, Ihara F, Motohashi S. Clinical Application of iNKT Cell-mediated Anti-tumor Activity Against Lung Cancer and Head and Neck Cancer. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2021. [PMID: 30245690 PMCID: PMC6137091 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells produce copious amounts of cytokines in response to T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation by recognizing antigens such as α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) presented on CD1d; thus, orchestrating other immune cells to fight against pathogen infection and tumors. Because of their ability to induce strong anti-tumor responses and the convenience of their invariant TCR activated by a synthetic ligand, α-GalCer, iNKT cells have been intensively studied for application in immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer patients in the clinic. Here, we summarize the clinical trials of iNKT cell based immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. Although solid tumors are thought to be refractory to immunotherapeutic approaches, our clinical trials showed that the intravenous injection of α-GalCer-pulsed antigen presenting cells (APCs) activated endogenous iNKT cells and iNKT cell dependent responses. Moreover, an increase in the number of IFN-γ producing cells in PBMCs was associated with prolonged survival. The marked infiltration of iNKT cells and the accumulation of conventional T cells in the tumor microenvironment were also observed after the administration of α-GalCer-pulsed APCs and/or ex vivo activated iNKT cells. In cases of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the increased accumulation of iNKT cells in the tumor microenvironment was correlated with objective clinical responses. We will also discuss potential combination therapies of iNKT cell based immunotherapy to achieve enhanced anti-tumor activity and provide better treatment options for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Takami
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumie Ihara
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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39
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Trottein F, Paget C. Natural Killer T Cells and Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in Lung Infections. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1750. [PMID: 30116242 PMCID: PMC6082944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system has been traditionally divided into two arms called innate and adaptive immunity. Typically, innate immunity refers to rapid defense mechanisms that set in motion within minutes to hours following an insult. Conversely, the adaptive immune response emerges after several days and relies on the innate immune response for its initiation and subsequent outcome. However, the recent discovery of immune cells displaying merged properties indicates that this distinction is not mutually exclusive. These populations that span the innate-adaptive border of immunity comprise, among others, CD1d-restricted natural killer T cells and MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T cells. These cells have the unique ability to swiftly activate in response to non-peptidic antigens through their T cell receptor and/or to activating cytokines in order to modulate many aspects of the immune response. Despite they recirculate all through the body via the bloodstream, these cells mainly establish residency at barrier sites including lungs. Here, we discuss the current knowledge into the biology of these cells during lung (viral and bacterial) infections including activation mechanisms and functions. We also discuss future strategies targeting these cell types to optimize immune responses against respiratory pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Trottein
- Univ. Lille, U1019 – UMR 8204 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8204, Lille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1019, Lille, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Christophe Paget
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1100, Centre d’Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), Tours, France
- Université de Tours, Tours, France
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40
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Zhang F, Stephan SB, Ene CI, Smith TT, Holland EC, Stephan MT. Nanoparticles That Reshape the Tumor Milieu Create a Therapeutic Window for Effective T-cell Therapy in Solid Malignancies. Cancer Res 2018; 78:3718-3730. [PMID: 29760047 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A major obstacle to the success rate of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-) T-cell therapy against solid tumors is the microenvironment antagonistic to T cells that solid tumors create. Conventional checkpoint blockade can silence lymphocyte antisurvival pathways activated by tumors, but because they are systemic, these treatments disrupt immune homeostasis and induce autoimmune side effects. Thus, new technologies are required to remodel the tumor milieu without causing systemic toxicities. Here, we demonstrate that targeted nanocarriers that deliver a combination of immune-modulatory agents can remove protumor cell populations and simultaneously stimulate antitumor effector cells. We administered repeated infusions of lipid nanoparticles coated with the tumor-targeting peptide iRGD and loaded with a combination of a PI3K inhibitor to inhibit immune-suppressive tumor cells and an α-GalCer agonist of therapeutic T cells to synergistically sway the tumor microenvironment of solid tumors from suppressive to stimulatory. This treatment created a therapeutic window of 2 weeks, enabling tumor-specific CAR-T cells to home to the lesion, undergo robust expansion, and trigger tumor regression. CAR-T cells administered outside this therapeutic window had no curative effect. The lipid nanoparticles we used are easy to manufacture in substantial amounts, and we demonstrate that repeated infusions of them are safe. Our technology may therefore provide a practical and low-cost strategy to potentiate many cancer immunotherapies used to treat solid tumors, including T-cell therapy, vaccines, and BITE platforms.Significance: A new nanotechnology approach can promote T-cell therapy for solid tumors. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3718-30. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sirkka B Stephan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Chibawanye I Ene
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Tyrel T Smith
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eric C Holland
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.,Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington.,Alvord Brain Tumor Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Matthias T Stephan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. .,Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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