1
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Puppala ER, Wu L, Fan X, Cao X. CD27 signaling inhibits tumor growth and metastasis via CD8 + T cell-independent mechanisms in the B16-F10 melanoma model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:198. [PMID: 39105866 PMCID: PMC11303370 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03780-9] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
CD27 belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and acts as a co-stimulatory molecule, modulating T and B cell responses. CD27 stimulation enhances T cell survival and effector functions, thus providing opportunities to develop therapeutic strategies. The current study aims to investigate the role of endogenous CD27 signaling in tumor growth and metastasis. CD8 + T cell-specific CD27 knockout (CD8Cre-CD27fl) mice were developed, while global CD27 knockout (KO) mice were also used in our studies. Flow cytometry analyses confirmed that CD27 was deleted specifically from CD8 + T cells without affecting CD4 + T cells, B cells, and HSPCs in the CD8Cre-CD27fl mice, while CD27 was deleted from all cell types in global CD27 KO mice. Tumor growth and metastasis studies were performed by injecting B16-F10 melanoma cells subcutaneously (right flank) or intravenously into the mice. We have found that global CD27 KO mice succumbed to significantly accelerated tumor growth compared to WT controls. In addition, global CD27 KO mice showed a significantly higher burden of metastatic tumor nests in the lungs compared to WT controls. However, there was no significant difference in tumor growth curves, survival, metastatic tumor nest counts between the CD8Cre-CD27fl mice and WT controls. These results suggest that endogenous CD27 signaling inhibits tumor growth and metastasis via CD8 + T cell-independent mechanisms in this commonly used melanoma model, presumably through stimulating antitumor activities of other types of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eswara Rao Puppala
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Long Wu
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Xiaoxuan Fan
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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2
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Gumber D, Wang LD. Improving CAR-T immunotherapy: Overcoming the challenges of T cell exhaustion. EBioMedicine 2022; 77:103941. [PMID: 35301179 PMCID: PMC8927848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a cancer treatment with enormous potential, demonstrating impressive antitumor activity in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, CAR T cell exhaustion is a major limitation to their efficacy, particularly in the application of CAR T cells to solid tumors. CAR T cell exhaustion is thought to be due to persistent antigen stimulation, as well as an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and mitigating exhaustion to maintain CAR T cell effector function and persistence and achieve clinical potency remains a central challenge. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of exhaustion and discuss emerging strategies to prevent or reverse exhaustion through modifications of the CAR receptor or CAR independent pathways. Additionally, we discuss the potential of these strategies for improving clinical outcomes of CAR T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gumber
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte CA, United States; Department of Immunooncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Leo D Wang
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte CA, United States; Department of Immunooncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States.
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3
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Lutfi F, Wu L, Sunshine S, Cao X. Targeting the CD27-CD70 Pathway to Improve Outcomes in Both Checkpoint Immunotherapy and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:715909. [PMID: 34630390 PMCID: PMC8493876 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.715909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) represent two distinct modalities that offer a chance for long-term cure in a diverse array of malignancies and have experienced many breakthroughs in recent years. Herein, we review the CD27-CD70 co-stimulatory pathway and its therapeutic potential in 1) combination with checkpoint inhibitor and other immune therapies and 2) its potential ability to serve as a novel approach in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention. We further review recent advances in the understanding of GVHD as a complex immune phenomenon between donor and host immune systems, particularly in the early stages with mixed chimerism, and potential novel therapeutic approaches to prevent the development of GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forat Lutfi
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Long Wu
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Sunshine
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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4
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Ciavattone NG, Wu L, O'Neill R, Qiu J, Davila E, Cao X. MyD88 Costimulation in Donor CD8 + T Cells Enhances the Graft-versus-Tumor Effect in Murine Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2021; 206:892-903. [PMID: 33408257 PMCID: PMC8691539 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Donor-derived lymphocytes from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) or donor lymphocyte infusion can mediate eradication of host tumor cells in a process labeled the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect. Unfortunately, these treatments have produced limited results in various types of leukemia because of an insufficient GVT effect. In this context, molecular engineering of donor lymphocytes to increase the GVT effect may benefit cancer patients. Activating MyD88 signaling in CD8+ T cells via TLR enhances T cell activation and cytotoxicity. However, systemic administration of TLR ligands to stimulate MyD88 could induce hyperinflammation or elicit protumor effects. To circumvent this problem, we devised a synthetic molecule consisting of MyD88 linked to the ectopic domain of CD8a (CD8α:MyD88). We used this construct to test the hypothesis that MyD88 costimulation in donor CD8+ T cells increases tumor control following allo-HCT in mice by increasing T cell activation, function, and direct tumor cytotoxicity. Indeed, an increase in both in vitro and in vivo tumor control was observed with CD8α:MyD88 T cells. This increase in the GVT response was associated with increased T cell expansion, increased functional capacity, and an increase in direct cytotoxic killing of the tumor cells. However, MyD88 costimulation in donor CD8+ T cells was linked to increased yet nonlethal graft-versus-host disease in mice treated with these engineered CD8+ T cells. Given these observations, synthetic CD8α:MyD88 donor T cells may represent a unique and versatile approach to enhance the GVT response that merits further refinement to improve the effectiveness of allo-HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Ciavattone
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Long Wu
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Rachel O'Neill
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263; and
| | - Eduardo Davila
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
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5
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Oba T, Hoki T, Yamauchi T, Keler T, Marsh HC, Cao X, Ito F. A Critical Role of CD40 and CD70 Signaling in Conventional Type 1 Dendritic Cells in Expansion and Antitumor Efficacy of Adoptively Transferred Tumor-Specific T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:1867-1877. [PMID: 32848036 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In vivo expansion of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells is a critical determinant of successful adoptive T cell therapy. Emerging evidence indicates Batf3-dependent conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) rarely found within the tumor myeloid compartment are crucial for effector T cell recruitment to the tumor microenvironment. However, the role of cDC1s in expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells remains unclear. In this article, we addressed the role of cDC1s and their costimulatory molecules, CD40, CD70, and CD80/CD86, in expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred in vitro-primed CD8+ T cells recognizing nonmutated tumor-associated self-antigens. We found that TLR/CD40-mediated expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD8+ T cells were abrogated in Batf3-/- mice. Further mechanistic studies using mixed bone marrow chimeric mice identified that CD40 and CD70 but not CD80/CD86 signaling in cDC1s played a critical role in expansion and antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells. Moreover, induction and activation of cDC1s by administration of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) and TLR/CD40 agonists augmented expansion of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells, delayed tumor growth, and improved survival. These findings reveal a key role for CD40 and CD70 signaling in cDC1s and have major implications for the design of new vaccination strategies with adoptive T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Oba
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Toshifumi Hoki
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Takayoshi Yamauchi
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Tibor Keler
- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., Hampton, NJ 08827
| | | | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Fumito Ito
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263; .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263; and.,Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14263
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Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have had limited efficacy, especially with late stage cancers. Cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy have revolutionized how cancer is treated, especially in patients with late stage disease. In 2013 cancer immunotherapy was named the breakthrough of the year, partially due to the established efficacy of blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1, both T cell co-inhibitory molecules involved in tumor-induced immunosuppression. Though early trials promised success, toxicity and tolerance to immunotherapy have hindered long-term successes. Optimizing the use of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways has the potential to increase the effectiveness of T cell-mediated antitumor immune response, leading to increased efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. This review will address major T cell co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways and the role they play in regulating immune responses during cancer development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E O'Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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7
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Kumar S, Leigh ND, Cao X. The Role of Co-stimulatory/Co-inhibitory Signals in Graft-vs.-Host Disease. Front Immunol 2018; 9:3003. [PMID: 30627129 PMCID: PMC6309815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an effective immunotherapeutic approach for various hematologic and immunologic ailments. Despite the beneficial impact of allo-HCT, its adverse effects cause severe health concerns. After transplantation, recognition of host cells as foreign entities by donor T cells induces graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD). Activation, proliferation and trafficking of donor T cells to target organs and tissues are critical steps in the pathogenesis of GVHD. T cell activation is a synergistic process of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-anchored antigen and co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory signaling in the presence of cytokines. Most of the currently used therapeutic regimens for GVHD are based on inhibiting the allogeneic T cell response or T-cell depletion (TCD). However, the immunosuppressive drugs and TCD hamper the therapeutic potential of allo-HCT, resulting in attenuated graft-vs.-leukemia (GVL) effect as well as increased vulnerability to infection. In view of the drawback of overbroad immunosuppression, co-stimulatory, and co-inhibitory molecules are plausible targets for selective modulation of T cell activation and function that can improve the effectiveness of allo-HCT. Therefore, this review collates existing knowledge of T cell co-stimulation and co-inhibition with current research that may have the potential to provide novel approaches to cure GVHD without sacrificing the beneficial effects of allo-HCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Nicholas D Leigh
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
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8
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Mohammadpour H, Du W, O'Neill R, Khalili S, Qiu J, Repasky EA, McCarthy PL, Cao X. Host-Derived Serine Protease Inhibitor 6 Provides Granzyme B-Independent Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Cells in Murine Graft-versus-Host Disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2018; 24:2397-2408. [PMID: 30006303 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) that limits the therapeutic potential of this treatment. Host antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a vital role in activating donor T cells that subsequently use granzyme B (GzmB) and other cytotoxic molecules to damage host normal tissues. Serine protease inhibitor 6 (Spi6), known as the sole endogenous inhibitor of GzmB, has been implicated in protecting T cells and APCs against GzmB-inflicted damage. In this study we used murine models to examine the previously unknown role of host-derived Spi6 in GVHD pathogenesis. Our results indicated that host Spi6 deficiency exacerbated GVHD as evidenced by significantly increased lethality and clinical and histopathologic scores. Using bone marrow chimera system, we found that Spi6 in nonhematopoietic tissue played a dominant role in protecting against GVHD and was significantly upregulated in intestinal epithelial cells after allo-HCT, whereas Spi6 in hematopoietic APCs surprisingly suppressed alloreactive T cell response. Interestingly, the protective effect of Spi6 and its expression in intestinal epithelial cells appeared to be independent of donor-derived GzmB. We used in silico modeling to explore potential targets of Spi6. Interaction tested in silico demonstrated that Spi6 could inhibit caspase-3 and caspase-8 with the same functional loop that inhibits GzmB but was not capable of forming stable interaction with caspase-1 or granzyme A. Using an in vitro co-culture system, we further identified that donor T cell-derived IFN-γ was important for inducing Spi6 expression in an intestinal epithelial cell line. Altogether, our data indicate that host Spi6 plays a novel, GzmB-independent role in regulating alloreactive T cell response and protecting intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, enhancing host-derived Spi6 function has the potential to reduce GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Rachel O'Neill
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Rajee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.
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9
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Mohammadpour H, O'Neil R, Qiu J, McCarthy PL, Repasky EA, Cao X. Blockade of Host β2-Adrenergic Receptor Enhances Graft-versus-Tumor Effect through Modulating APCs. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:2479-2488. [PMID: 29445008 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potential curative therapy for hematologic malignancies. Host APCs are pivotal to the desired graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect. Recent studies have shown that β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) signaling can have an important impact on immune cell function, including dendritic cells (DCs). In this article, we demonstrate that pretreatment of host mice with a β2AR blocker significantly increases the GVT effect of donor CD8+ T cells by decreasing tumor burden without increasing graft-versus-host disease. β2AR-deficient host mice have significantly increased effector memory and central memory CD8+ T cells and improved reconstitution of T cells, including CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Notably, β2AR deficiency induces increased CD11c+ DC development. Also, β2AR-deficient bone marrow-derived DCs induce higher CD8+ T cell proliferation and improved tumor killing in vitro. Metabolic profiling shows that β2AR deficiency renders DCs more immunogenic through upregulation of mTOR activity and reduction of STAT3 phosphorylation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate an important role for host β2AR signaling in suppressing T cell reconstitution and GVT activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Rachel O'Neil
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263; and
| | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263; .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
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10
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O'Neill RE, Du W, Mohammadpour H, Alqassim E, Qiu J, Chen G, McCarthy PL, Lee KP, Cao X. T Cell-Derived CD70 Delivers an Immune Checkpoint Function in Inflammatory T Cell Responses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:3700-3710. [PMID: 29046346 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The CD27-CD70 pathway is known to provide a costimulatory signal, with CD70 expressed on APCs and CD27 functions on T cells. Although CD70 is also expressed on activated T cells, it remains unclear how T cell-derived CD70 affects T cell function. Therefore, we have assessed the role of T cell-derived CD70 using adoptive-transfer models, including autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease and allogeneic graft-versus-host disease. Surprisingly, compared with wild-type T cells, CD70-/- T cells caused more severe inflammatory bowel disease and graft-versus-host disease and produced higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistic analyses reveal that IFN-γ induces CD70 expression in T cells, and CD70 limits T cell expansion via a regulatory T cell-independent mechanism that involves caspase-dependent T cell apoptosis and upregulation of inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules. Notably, T cell-intrinsic CD70 signaling contributes, as least in part, to the inhibitory checkpoint function. Overall, our findings demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that T cell-derived CD70 plays a novel immune checkpoint role in inhibiting inflammatory T cell responses. This study suggests that T cell-derived CD70 performs a critical negative feedback function to downregulate inflammatory T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E O'Neill
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Emad Alqassim
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263; and
| | - George Chen
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Kelvin P Lee
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263;
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