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Chang CR, Vykunta VS, Goodman DB, Muldoon JJ, Nyberg WA, Liu C, Allain V, Rothrock A, Wang CH, Marson A, Shy BR, Eyquem J. Ultra-high efficiency T cell reprogramming at multiple loci with SEED-Selection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.06.576175. [PMID: 38370809 PMCID: PMC10871224 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.576175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Multiplexed reprogramming of T cell specificity and function can generate powerful next-generation cellular therapies. However, current manufacturing methods produce heterogenous mixtures of partially engineered cells. Here, we develop a one-step process to enrich for unlabeled cells with knock-ins at multiple target loci using a family of repair templates named Synthetic Exon/Expression Disruptors (SEEDs). SEED engineering associates transgene integration with the disruption of a paired endogenous surface protein, allowing non-modified and partially edited cells to be immunomagnetically depleted (SEED-Selection). We design SEEDs to fully reprogram three critical loci encoding T cell specificity, co-receptor expression, and MHC expression, with up to 98% purity after selection for individual modifications and up to 90% purity for six simultaneous edits (three knock-ins and three knockouts). These methods are simple, compatible with existing clinical manufacturing workflows, and can be readily adapted to other loci to facilitate production of complex gene-edited cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Chang
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vivasvan S Vykunta
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel B Goodman
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph J Muldoon
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William A Nyberg
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Allain
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR976, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Allison Rothrock
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte H Wang
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brian R Shy
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Justin Eyquem
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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2
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O’Reilly RJ, Prockop S, Oved JH. Virus-specific T-cells from third party or transplant donors for treatment of EBV lymphoproliferative diseases arising post hematopoietic cell or solid organ transplantation. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1290059. [PMID: 38274824 PMCID: PMC10808771 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290059] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
EBV+ lymphomas constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell (HCT) and solid organ transplants (SOT). Phase I and II trials have shown that in HCT recipients, adoptive transfer of EBV-specific T-cells from the HCT donor can safely induce durable remissions of EBV+ lymphomas including 70->90% of patients who have failed to respond to treatment with Rituximab. More recently, EBV-specific T-cells generated from allogeneic 3rd party donors have also been shown to induce durable remission of EBV+ lymphomas in Rituximab refractory HCT and SOT recipients. In this review, we compare results of phase I and II trials of 3rd party and donor derived EBV-specific T-cells. We focus on the attributes and limitations of each product in terms of access, safety, responses achieved and durability. The limited data available regarding donor and host factors contributing to T cell persistence is also described. We examine factors contributing to treatment failures and approaches to prevent or salvage relapse. Lastly, we summarize strategies to further improve results for virus-specific immunotherapies for post-transplant EBV lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. O’Reilly
- Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Susan Prockop
- Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation, Boston Children’s Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joseph H. Oved
- Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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3
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Zhang Q, Xu M. EBV-induced T-cell responses in EBV-specific and nonspecific cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1250946. [PMID: 37841280 PMCID: PMC10576448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1250946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human tumor virus associated with various malignancies, including B-lymphoma, NK and T-lymphoma, and epithelial carcinoma. It infects B lymphocytes and epithelial cells within the oropharynx and establishes persistent infection in memory B cells. With a balanced virus-host interaction, most individuals carry EBV asymptomatically because of the lifelong surveillance by T cell immunity against EBV. A stable anti-EBV T cell repertoire is maintained in memory at high frequency in the blood throughout persistent EBV infection. Patients with impaired T cell immunity are more likely to develop life-threatening lymphoproliferative disorders, highlighting the critical role of T cells in achieving the EBV-host balance. Recent studies reveal that the EBV protein, LMP1, triggers robust T-cell responses against multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in B cells. Additionally, EBV-specific T cells have been identified in EBV-unrelated cancers, raising questions about their role in antitumor immunity. Herein, we summarize T-cell responses in EBV-related cancers, considering latency patterns, host immune status, and factors like human leukocyte antigen (HLA) susceptibility, which may affect immune outcomes. We discuss EBV-induced TAA-specific T cell responses and explore the potential roles of EBV-specific T cell subsets in tumor microenvironments. We also describe T-cell immunotherapy strategies that harness EBV antigens, ranging from EBV-specific T cells to T cell receptor-engineered T cells. Lastly, we discuss the involvement of γδ T-cells in EBV infection and associated diseases, aiming to elucidate the comprehensive interplay between EBV and T-cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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4
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Anderson VE, Brilha SS, Weber AM, Pachnio A, Wiedermann GE, Dauleh S, Ahmed T, Pope GR, Quinn LL, Docta RY, Quattrini A, Masters S, Cartwright N, Viswanathan P, Melchiori L, Rice LV, Sevko A, Gueguen C, Saini M, Tavano B, Abbott RJ, Silk JD, Laugel B, Sanderson JP, Gerry AB. Enhancing Efficacy of TCR-engineered CD4 + T Cells Via Coexpression of CD8α. J Immunother 2023; 46:132-144. [PMID: 36826388 PMCID: PMC10072215 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with T cells expressing affinity-enhanced T-cell receptors (TCRs) is a promising treatment for solid tumors. Efforts are ongoing to further engineer these T cells to increase the depth and durability of clinical responses and broaden efficacy toward additional indications. In the present study, we investigated one such approach: T cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector to coexpress an affinity-enhanced HLA class I-restricted TCR directed against MAGE-A4 alongside a CD8α coreceptor. We hypothesized that this approach would enhance CD4 + T-cell helper and effector functions, possibly leading to a more potent antitumor response. Activation of transduced CD4 + T cells was measured by detecting CD40 ligand expression on the surface and cytokine and chemokine secretion from CD4 + T cells and dendritic cells cultured with melanoma-associated antigen A4 + tumor cells. In addition, T-cell cytotoxic activity against 3-dimensional tumor spheroids was measured. Our data demonstrated that CD4 + T cells coexpressing the TCR and CD8α coreceptor displayed enhanced responses, including CD40 ligand expression, interferon-gamma secretion, and cytotoxic activity, along with improved dendritic cell activation. Therefore, our study supports the addition of the CD8α coreceptor to HLA class I-restricted TCR-engineered T cells to enhance CD4 + T-cell functions, which may potentially improve the depth and durability of antitumor responses in patients.
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Ruggiero E, Carnevale E, Prodeus A, Magnani ZI, Camisa B, Merelli I, Politano C, Stasi L, Potenza A, Cianciotti BC, Manfredi F, Di Bono M, Vago L, Tassara M, Mastaglio S, Ponzoni M, Sanvito F, Liu D, Balwani I, Galli R, Genua M, Ostuni R, Doglio M, O'Connell D, Dutta I, Yazinski SA, McKee M, Arredouani MS, Schultes B, Ciceri F, Bonini C. CRISPR-based gene disruption and integration of high-avidity, WT1-specific T cell receptors improve antitumor T cell function. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabg8027. [PMID: 35138911 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abg8027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapy has the potential to induce durable clinical responses in patients with cancer by targeting intracellular tumor antigens with high sensitivity and by promoting T cell survival. However, the need for TCRs specific for shared oncogenic antigens and the need for manufacturing protocols able to redirect T cell specificity while preserving T cell fitness remain limiting factors. By longitudinal monitoring of T cell functionality and dynamics in 15 healthy donors, we isolated 19 TCRs specific for Wilms' tumor antigen 1 (WT1), which is overexpressed by several tumor types. TCRs recognized several peptides restricted by common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and displayed a wide range of functional avidities. We selected five high-avidity HLA-A*02:01-restricted TCRs, three that were specific to the less explored immunodominant WT137-45 and two that were specific to the noncanonical WT1-78-64 epitopes, both naturally processed by primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. With CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tools, we combined TCR-targeted integration into the TCR α constant (TRAC) locus with TCR β constant (TRBC) knockout, thus avoiding TCRαβ mispairing and maximizing TCR expression and function. The engineered lymphocytes were enriched in memory stem T cells. A unique WT137-45-specific TCR showed antigen-specific responses and efficiently killed AML blasts, acute lymphoblastic leukemia blasts, and glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo in the absence of off-tumor toxicity. T cells engineered to express this receptor are being advanced into clinical development for AML immunotherapy and represent a candidate therapy for other WT1-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Carnevale
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Zulma Irene Magnani
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Camisa
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan Merelli
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute for Biomedical Technologies, Segrate, Italy
| | - Claudia Politano
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorena Stasi
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Claudia Cianciotti
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Manfredi
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Di Bono
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Vago
- Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Tassara
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Mastaglio
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Maurilio Ponzoni
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Pathology Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Sanvito
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Dai Liu
- Intellia Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Rossella Galli
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Neurosciences, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Genua
- Genomics of the Innate Immune System Unit, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Ostuni
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Genomics of the Innate Immune System Unit, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Doglio
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ivy Dutta
- Intellia Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Mark McKee
- Intellia Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
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6
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Cui X, Snapper CM. Epstein Barr Virus: Development of Vaccines and Immune Cell Therapy for EBV-Associated Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734471. [PMID: 34691042 PMCID: PMC8532523 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first human tumor virus discovered and is strongly implicated in the etiology of multiple lymphoid and epithelial cancers. Each year EBV associated cancers account for over 200,000 new cases of cancer and cause 150,000 deaths world-wide. EBV is also the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis, and up to 70% of adolescents and young adults in developed countries suffer from infectious mononucleosis. In addition, EBV has been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. An EBV prophylactic vaccine that induces neutralizing antibodies holds great promise for prevention of EBV associated diseases. EBV envelope proteins including gH/gL, gB and gp350 play key roles in EBV entry and infection of target cells, and neutralizing antibodies elicited by each of these proteins have shown to prevent EBV infection of target cells and markedly decrease EBV titers in the peripheral blood of humanized mice challenged with lethal dose EBV. Recent studies demonstrated that immunization with the combination of gH/gL, gB and/or gp350 induced markedly increased synergistic EBV neutralizing activity compared to immunization with individual proteins. As previous clinical trials focused on gp350 alone were partially successful, the inclusion of gH/gL and gB in a vaccine formulation with gp350 represents a promising approach of EBV prophylactic vaccine development. Therapeutic EBV vaccines have also been tested clinically with encouraging results. Immunization with various vaccine platforms expressing the EBV latent proteins EBNA1, LMP1, and/or LMP2 promoted specific CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic responses with anti-tumor activity. The addition of EBV envelope proteins gH/gL, gB and gp350 has the potential to increase the efficacy of a therapeutic EBV vaccine. The immune system plays a critical role in the control of tumors, and immune cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment of cancers. Adoptive T-cell therapy has been successfully used in the prevention and treatment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy and T cell receptor engineered T cell therapy targeting EBV latent proteins LMP1, LMP2 and/or EBNA1 have been in development, with the goal to increase the specificity and efficacy of treatment of EBV associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinle Cui
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,The Institute for Vaccine Research and Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Clifford M Snapper
- The Institute for Vaccine Research and Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Citranvi Biosciences LLC, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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7
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Olbrich H, Theobald SJ, Slabik C, Gerasch L, Schneider A, Mach M, Shum T, Mamonkin M, Stripecke R. Adult and Cord Blood-Derived High-Affinity gB-CAR-T Cells Effectively React Against Human Cytomegalovirus Infections. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:423-439. [PMID: 32159399 PMCID: PMC7194322 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivations are associated with lower overall survival after transplantations. Adoptive transfer of HCMV-reactive expanded or selected T cells can be applied as a compassionate use, but requires that the human leukocyte antigen-matched donor provides memory cells against HCMV. To overcome this, we developed engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeted against the HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) expressed upon viral reactivation. Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) derived from a human high-affinity gB-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody (SM5-1) were fused to CARs with 4-1BB (BBL) or CD28 (28S) costimulatory domains and subcloned into retroviral vectors. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells obtained from HCMV-seronegative adult blood or cord blood (CB) transduced with the vectors efficiently expressed the gB-CARs. The specificity and potency of gB-CAR-T cells were demonstrated and compared in vitro using the following: 293T cells expressing gB, and with mesenchymal stem cells infected with a HCMV TB40 strain expressing Gaussia luciferase (HCMV/GLuc). BBL-gB-CAR-T cells generated with adult or CB demonstrated significantly higher in vitro activation and cytotoxicity performance than 28-gB-CAR-T cells. Nod.Rag.Gamma (NRG) mice transplanted with human CB CD34+ cells with long-term human immune reconstitution were used to model HCMV/GLuc infection in vivo by optical imaging analyses. One week after administration, response to BBL-gB-CAR-T cell therapy was observed for 5/8 mice, defined by significant reduction of the bioluminescent signal in relation to untreated controls. Response to therapy was sporadically associated with CAR detection in spleen. Thus, exploring scFv derived from the high-affinity gB-antibody SM5-1 and the 4-1BB signaling domain for CAR design enabled an in vitro high on-target effect and cytotoxicity and encouraging results in vivo. Therefore, gB-CAR-T cells can be a future clinical option for treatment of HCMV reactivations, particularly when memory T cells from the donors are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Olbrich
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Theobald
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Constanze Slabik
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Laura Gerasch
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneider
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Mach
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Shum
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Maksim Mamonkin
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Renata Stripecke
- Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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8
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Watanabe K, Nishikawa H. Engineering strategies for broad application of TCR-T and CAR-T cell therapies. Int Immunol 2021; 33:551-562. [PMID: 34374779 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy, including the transfer of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes after in vitro expansion or T cells redirected to tumor antigens using antigen-specific transgenic T cell receptor T cells (TCR-T cells) or chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), has shown a significant clinical impact. Particularly, several types of CAR-T cell therapies have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The striking success of CAR-T cell therapies in hematological malignancies motivates their further expansion to a wide range of solid tumors, yet multiple obstacles, including the lack of proper target antigens exhibiting a tumor-specific expression pattern and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) impairing the effector functions of adoptively transferred T cells, have prevented clinical application. Gene engineering technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have enabled flexible reprograming of TCR/CAR-T cell signaling or loading genes that are targets of the tumor immunosuppression as a payload to overcome the difficulties. Here, we discuss recent advances in TCR/CAR-T cell engineering: various promising approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in the TME for maximizing the efficacy and the safety of adoptive cell therapy are now being tested in the clinic, especially targeting solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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9
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Zhang C, Tan Q, Li S, Shen L, Zhang J, Liu Y, Yang W, Lu Z. Induction of EBV latent membrane protein-2A (LMP2A)-specific T cells and construction of individualized TCR-engineered T cells for EBV-associated malignancies. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002516. [PMID: 34210819 PMCID: PMC8252876 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Latent membrane protein-2A (LMP2A)-specific TCR-engineered T cells could be a promising treatment approach to Epstein–Barr virus-associated malignancies. However, previous studies mainly reported LMP2A-reactive TCRs only focusing on specific HLA subtypes and corresponding epitopes, and thus, they were only suitable for patients with specific HLA. Methods Due to hugely varied HLA subtypes and presented LMP2A epitopes in different individuals, our study attempted to develop an individualized approach, based on the weekly in vitro stimulation of peripheral T cells for 2 weeks with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with a pool of LMP2A peptides covering LMP2A whole protein and combination analysis of high throughput TCRβ sequencing of prestimulated and poststimulated T cells and single-cell TCR sequencing of poststimulated T cells, and to identify LMP2A-specific TCRs of which poststimulated frequencies significantly increased than corresponding prestimulated frequencies. Results Following this approach, multiple LMP2A-reactive TCRs were identified, optimized and cloned into lentiviral vector, and then transduced into peripheral T cells. These engineerd T cells were demonstrated to specifically recognize the LMP2A presented by autologous DCs and lymphoblastoid cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions This approach provides an efficient procedure to isolate individualized LMP2A-specific TCRs for basic and translational research, as well as for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Tan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Genetics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shance Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Luyan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jingtao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Genetics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China .,Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, School of Basic Medicine and the General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zheming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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10
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Jones HF, Molvi Z, Klatt MG, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Empirical and Rational Design of T Cell Receptor-Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 11:585385. [PMID: 33569049 PMCID: PMC7868419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of T cells reactive with intracellular tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigens has been a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapies in the past three decades, but the approach has been constrained by a limited understanding of the T cell receptor's (TCR) complex functions and specificities. Newer TCR and T cell-based approaches are in development, including engineered adoptive T cells with enhanced TCR affinities, TCR mimic antibodies, and T cell-redirecting bispecific agents. These new therapeutic modalities are exciting opportunities by which TCR recognition can be further exploited for therapeutic benefit. In this review we summarize the development of TCR-based therapeutic strategies and focus on balancing efficacy and potency versus specificity, and hence, possible toxicity, of these powerful therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather F. Jones
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zaki Molvi
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Martin G. Klatt
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tao Dao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Xue SA, Chen Y, Voss RH, Kisan V, Wang B, Chen KK, He FQ, Cheng XX, Scolamiero L, Holler A, Gao L, Morris E, Stauss HJ. Enhancing the expression and function of an EBV-TCR on engineered T cells by combining Sc-TCR design with CRISPR editing to prevent mispairing. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:1275-1277. [PMID: 32203185 PMCID: PMC7784858 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0396-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shao-An Xue
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China.
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Yuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Ralf-Holger Voss
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Virad Kisan
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Ke-Ke Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Xia Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development & Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Xi'An. Xi'An University, Xi'An, 710065, P. R. China
| | - Laura Scolamiero
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Liquan Gao
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Emma Morris
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
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12
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Müller TR, Schuler C, Hammel M, Köhler A, Jutz S, Leitner J, Schober K, Busch DH, Steinberger P. A T-cell reporter platform for high-throughput and reliable investigation of TCR function and biology. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1216. [PMID: 33251011 PMCID: PMC7681835 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transgenic re-expression enables unbiased investigation of T-cell receptor (TCR)-intrinsic characteristics detached from its original cellular context. Recent advancements in TCR repertoire sequencing and development of protocols for direct cloning of full TCRαβ constructs now facilitate large-scale transgenic TCR re-expression. Together, this offers unprecedented opportunities for the screening of TCRs for basic research as well as clinical use. However, the functional characterisation of re-expressed TCRs is still a complicated and laborious matter. Here, we propose a Jurkat-based triple parameter TCR signalling reporter endogenous TCR knockout cellular platform (TPRKO) that offers an unbiased, easy read-out of TCR functionality and facilitates high-throughput screening approaches. METHODS As a proof-of-concept, we transgenically re-expressed 59 human cytomegalovirus-specific TCRs and systematically investigated and compared TCR function in TPRKO cells versus primary human T cells. RESULTS We demonstrate that the TPRKO cell line facilitates antigen-HLA specificity screening via sensitive peptide-MHC-multimer staining, which was highly comparable to primary T cells. Also, TCR functional avidity in TPRKO cells was strongly correlating to primary T cells, especially in the absence of CD8αβ co-receptor. CONCLUSION Overall, our data show that the TPRKO cell lines can serve as a surrogate of primary human T cells for standardised and high-throughput investigation of TCR biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)MunichGermany
| | - Corinna Schuler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Monika Hammel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Amelie Köhler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Sabrina Jutz
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell ActivationCenter for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and ImmunologyInstitute of ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell ActivationCenter for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and ImmunologyInstitute of ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and HygieneTechnical University of Munich (TUM)MunichGermany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)MunichGermany
- Focus Group ‘Clinical Cell Processing and Purification’Institute for Advanced StudyTUMMunichGermany
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell ActivationCenter for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and ImmunologyInstitute of ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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13
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Bajwa G, Lanz I, Cardenas M, Brenner MK, Arber C. Transgenic CD8αβ co-receptor rescues endogenous TCR function in TCR-transgenic virus-specific T cells. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:e001487. [PMID: 33148692 PMCID: PMC7640589 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically engineered virus-specific T cells (VSTs) are a platform for adoptive cell therapy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, redirection to a tumor-associated antigen by the introduction of a transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR) reduces anti-viral activity, thereby impeding the possibility of preventing or treating two distinct complications-malignant relapse and viral infection-with a single cell therapy product. Availability of CD8αβ co-receptor molecules can significantly impact class I restricted T-cell activation, and thus, we interrogated whether transgenic CD8αβ improves anti-viral activity mediated by native VSTs with or without a co-expressed transgenic TCR (TCR8). METHODS Our existing clinical VST manufacturing platform was adapted and validated to engineer TCR+ or TCR8+ VSTs targeting cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. Simultaneous anti-viral and anti-tumor function of engineered VSTs was assessed in vitro and in vivo. We used pentamer staining, interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), cytotoxicity assays, co-cultures, and cytokine secretion assays for the in vitro characterization. The in vivo anti-tumor function was assessed in a leukemia xenograft mouse model. RESULTS Both transgenic CD8αβ alone and TCR8 had significant impact on the anti-viral function of engineered VSTs, and TCR8+ VSTs had comparable anti-viral activity as non-engineered VSTs as determined by IFN-γ ELISpot, ICS and cytotoxicity assays. TCR8-engineered VSTs had improved anti-tumor function and greater effector cytokine production in vitro, as well as enhanced anti-tumor function against leukemia xenografts in mice. CONCLUSION Incorporation of transgenic CD8αβ into vectors for TCR-targetable antigens preserves anti-viral activity of TCR transgenic VSTs while simultaneously supporting tumor-directed activity mediated by a transgenic TCR. Our approach may provide clinical benefit in preventing and treating viral infections and malignant relapse post-transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Bajwa
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Inès Lanz
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mara Cardenas
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Malcolm K Brenner
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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14
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A bicistronic vector backbone for rapid seamless cloning and chimerization of αβT-cell receptor sequences. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238875. [PMID: 32903281 PMCID: PMC7480877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To facilitate preclinical testing of T-cell receptors (TCRs) derived from tumor-reactive T-cell clones it is necessary to develop convenient and rapid cloning strategies for the generation of TCR expression constructs. Herein, we describe a pDONR™221 vector backbone allowing to generate Gateway™ compatible entry clones encoding optimized bicistronic αβTCR constructs. It harbors P2A-linked TCR constant regions and head-to-head-oriented recognition sites of the Type IIS restriction enzymes BsmBI and BsaI for seamless cloning of the TCRα and TCRβ V(D)J regions, respectively. Additional well-established TCR optimizations were incorporated to enhance TCR functionality. This included replacing of the human αβTCR constant regions with their codon-optimized murine counterparts for chimerization, addition of a second interchain disulfide bond and arrangement of the TCR chains in the order β-P2A-α. We exemplified the utility of our vector backbone by cloning and functional testing of three melanoma-reactive TCRs in primary human T cells.
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15
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Targeted Therapies for Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092565. [PMID: 32916819 PMCID: PMC7564798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first-discovered and important human tumor virus. It infects more than 90% of human population and induces various lymphomas. Development of specific targeted therapies is very critical for treatment of EBV-induced lymphomas, but it remains a great challenge. In this review, we introduced the current progress of EBV-specific therapies and the promising approaches that can be developed as novel targeted therapies, which involve protective or therapeutic strategies to target these lymphomas on different levels. This work will provide new insights into the development of new targeted therapies against EBV-associated lymphomas. Abstract The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the first human tumor virus identified that can transform quiescent B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in vitro. EBV can establish asymptomatic life-long persistence and is associated with multiple human malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as infectious mononucleosis. Although EBV-associated lymphomagenesis has been investigated for over 50 years, viral-mediated transformation is not completely understood, and the development of EBV-specific therapeutic strategies to treat the associated cancers is still a major challenge. However, the rapid development of several novel therapies offers exciting possibilities to target EBV-induced lymphomas. This review highlights targeted therapies with potential for treating EBV-associated lymphomas, including small molecule inhibitors, immunotherapy, cell therapy, preventative and therapeutic vaccines, and other potent approaches, which are novel strategies for controlling, preventing, and treating these viral-induced malignances.
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16
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Sillito F, Holler A, Stauss HJ. Engineering CD4+ T Cells to Enhance Cancer Immunity. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071721. [PMID: 32708397 PMCID: PMC7407306 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents key advances in combining T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer to redirect T-cell specificity with gene engineering in order to enhance cancer-protective immune function. We discuss how emerging insights might be applied to CD4+ T cells. Although much attention has been paid to the role of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in tumour protection, we provide convincing evidence that CD4+ helper T cells play a critical role in cancer immune responses in animal models and also in patients. We demonstrate that genetic engineering technologies provide exciting opportunities to extend the specificity range of CD4+ T cells from MHC class-II-presented epitopes to include peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. Functional enhancement of tumour immunity can improve the sensitivity of T cells to cancer antigens, promote survival in a hostile tumour microenvironment, boost cancer-protective effector mechanisms and enable the formation of T-cell memory. Engineered cancer-specific CD4+ T cells may contribute to protective immunity by a direct pathway involving cancer cell killing, and by an indirect pathway that boosts the function, persistence and memory formation of CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sillito
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2PF, UK
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (H.J.S.)
| | - Angelika Holler
- Cancer Institute, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
| | - Hans J. Stauss
- Cancer Institute, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK;
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (H.J.S.)
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17
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Rath JA, Bajwa G, Carreres B, Hoyer E, Gruber I, Martínez-Paniagua MA, Yu YR, Nouraee N, Sadeghi F, Wu M, Wang T, Hebeisen M, Rufer N, Varadarajan N, Ho PC, Brenner MK, Gfeller D, Arber C. Single-cell transcriptomics identifies multiple pathways underlying antitumor function of TCR- and CD8αβ-engineered human CD4 + T cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz7809. [PMID: 32923584 PMCID: PMC7455496 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic coexpression of a class I-restricted tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and CD8αβ (TCR8) redirects antigen specificity of CD4+ T cells. Reinforcement of biophysical properties and early TCR signaling explain how redirected CD4+ T cells recognize target cells, but the transcriptional basis for their acquired antitumor function remains elusive. We, therefore, interrogated redirected human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by single-cell RNA sequencing and characterized them experimentally in bulk and single-cell assays and a mouse xenograft model. TCR8 expression enhanced CD8+ T cell function and preserved less differentiated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after tumor challenge. TCR8+CD4+ T cells were most potent by activating multiple transcriptional programs associated with enhanced antitumor function. We found sustained activation of cytotoxicity, costimulation, oxidative phosphorylation- and proliferation-related genes, and simultaneously reduced differentiation and exhaustion. Our study identifies molecular features of TCR8 expression that can guide the development of enhanced immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. Rath
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gagan Bajwa
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benoit Carreres
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Hoyer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isabelle Gruber
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Yi-Ru Yu
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nazila Nouraee
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mengfen Wu
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Hebeisen
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Rufer
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Navin Varadarajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Malcolm K. Brenner
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Gfeller
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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18
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Schober SJ, Thiede M, Gassmann H, Prexler C, Xue B, Schirmer D, Wohlleber D, Stein S, Grünewald TGP, Busch DH, Richter GHS, Burdach SEG, Thiel U. MHC Class I-Restricted TCR-Transgenic CD4 + T Cells Against STEAP1 Mediate Local Tumor Control of Ewing Sarcoma In Vivo. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071581. [PMID: 32610710 PMCID: PMC7408051 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we report the functional comparison of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells targeting a peptide from six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) in the context of HLA-A*02:01. STEAP1 is a tumor-associated antigen, which is overexpressed in many cancers, including Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Based on previous observations, we postulated strong antitumor potential of tumor-redirected CD4+ T cells transduced with an HLA class I-restricted TCR against a STEAP1-derived peptide. We compared CD4+ T cell populations to their CD8+ counterparts in vitro using impedance-based xCELLigence and cytokine/granzyme release assays. We further compared antitumor activity of STEAP130-TCR transgenic (tg) CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing xenografted Rag2-/-gc-/- mice. TCR tgCD4+ T cells showed increased cytotoxic features over time with similar functional avidity compared to tgCD8+ cells after 5-6 weeks of culture. In vivo, local tumor control was equal. Assessing metastatic organotropism of intraveniously (i.v.) injected tumors, only tgCD8+ cells were associated with reduced metastases. In this analysis, EwS-redirected tgCD4+ T cells contribute to local tumor control, but fail to control metastatic outgrowth in a model of xenografted EwS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J. Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.J.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Melanie Thiede
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Hendrik Gassmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Carolin Prexler
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Busheng Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - David Schirmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology/Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81674 Munich, Germany;
| | - Stefanie Stein
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU, 80337 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (T.G.P.G.)
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU, 80337 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (T.G.P.G.)
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81674 Munich, Germany;
| | - Guenther H. S. Richter
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan E. G. Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Uwe Thiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.J.S.); (U.T.)
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19
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Rath JA, Arber C. Engineering Strategies to Enhance TCR-Based Adoptive T Cell Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E1485. [PMID: 32570906 PMCID: PMC7349724 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR)-based adoptive T cell therapies (ACT) hold great promise for the treatment of cancer, as TCRs can cover a broad range of target antigens. Here we summarize basic, translational and clinical results that provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of TCR-based ACT. We review the characteristics of target antigens and conventional αβ-TCRs, and provide a summary of published clinical trials with TCR-transgenic T cell therapies. We discuss how synthetic biology and innovative engineering strategies are poised to provide solutions for overcoming current limitations, that include functional avidity, MHC restriction, and most importantly, the tumor microenvironment. We also highlight the impact of precision genome editing on the next iteration of TCR-transgenic T cell therapies, and the discovery of novel immune engineering targets. We are convinced that some of these innovations will enable the field to move TCR gene therapy to the next level.
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MESH Headings
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Engineering
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/adverse effects
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/trends
- Gene Editing
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/trends
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Safety
- Synthetic Biology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Translational Research, Biomedical
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
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20
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Münz C. Redirecting T Cells against Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Associated Oncogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061400. [PMID: 32512847 PMCID: PMC7349826 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with lymphomas and carcinomas. For some of these, the adoptive transfer of EBV specific T cells has been therapeutically explored, with clinical success. In order to avoid naturally occurring EBV specific autologous T cell selection from every patient, the transgenic expression of latent and early lytic viral antigen specific T cell receptors (TCRs) to redirect T cells, to target the respective tumors, is being developed. Recent evidence suggests that not only TCRs against transforming latent EBV antigens, but also against early lytic viral gene products, might be protective for the control of EBV infection and associated oncogenesis. At the same time, these approaches might be more selective and cause less collateral damage than targeting general B cell markers with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Thus, EBV specific TCR transgenic T cells constitute a promising therapeutic strategy against EBV associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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21
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Thomas S, Mohammed F, Reijmers RM, Woolston A, Stauss T, Kennedy A, Stirling D, Holler A, Green L, Jones D, Matthews KK, Price DA, Chain BM, Heemskerk MHM, Morris EC, Willcox BE, Stauss HJ. Framework engineering to produce dominant T cell receptors with enhanced antigen-specific function. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4451. [PMID: 31575864 PMCID: PMC6773850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12441-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
TCR-gene-transfer is an efficient strategy to produce therapeutic T cells of defined antigen specificity. However, there are substantial variations in the cell surface expression levels of human TCRs, which can impair the function of engineered T cells. Here we demonstrate that substitutions of 3 amino acid residues in the framework of the TCR variable domains consistently increase the expression of human TCRs on the surface of engineered T cells.The modified TCRs mediate enhanced T cell proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxicity, while reducing the peptide concentration required for triggering effector function up to 3000-fold. Adoptive transfer experiments in mice show that modified TCRs control tumor growth more efficiently than wild-type TCRs. Our data indicate that simple variable domain modifications at a distance from the antigen-binding loops lead to increased TCR expression and improved effector function. This finding provides a generic platform to optimize the efficacy of TCR gene therapy in humans.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
- Cell Engineering
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/genetics
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/immunology
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Domains
- Protein Engineering
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharyn Thomas
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Fiyaz Mohammed
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rogier M Reijmers
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Woolston
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Theresa Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alan Kennedy
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Stirling
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Louisa Green
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Jones
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katherine K Matthews
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - David A Price
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Benjamin M Chain
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emma C Morris
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Benjamin E Willcox
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
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22
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Chatterjee B, Deng Y, Holler A, Nunez N, Azzi T, Vanoaica LD, Müller A, Zdimerova H, Antsiferova O, Zbinden A, Capaul R, Dreyer JH, Nadal D, Becher B, Robinson MD, Stauss H, Münz C. CD8+ T cells retain protective functions despite sustained inhibitory receptor expression during Epstein-Barr virus infection in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007748. [PMID: 31145756 PMCID: PMC6542544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most ubiquitous human pathogens in the world, persistently infecting more than 90% of the adult human population. It drives some of the strongest human CD8+ T cell responses, which can be observed during symptomatic primary infection known as infectious mononucleosis (IM). Despite high viral loads and prolonged CD8+ T cell stimulation during IM, EBV enters latency and is under lifelong immune control in most individuals that experience this disease. We investigated whether changes in T cell function, as frequently characterized by PD-1 up-regulation, occur during IM due to the prolonged exposure to high antigen levels. We readily detected the expansion of PD-1 positive CD8+ T cells together with high frequencies of Tim-3, 2B4, and KLRG1 expression during IM and in mice with reconstituted human immune system components (huNSG mice) that had been infected with a high dose of EBV. These PD-1 positive CD8+ T cells, however, retained proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic abilities. Multiple subsets of CD8+ T cells expanded during EBV infection, including PD-1+Tim-3+KLRG1+ cells that express CXCR5 and TCF-1 germinal center homing and memory markers, and may also contain BATF3. Moreover, blocking the PD-1 axis compromised EBV specific immune control and resulted in virus-associated lymphomagenesis. Finally, PD-1+, Tim-3+, and KLRG1+ CD8+ T cell expansion coincided with declining viral loads during low dose EBV infection. These findings suggest that EBV infection primes PD-1 positive CD8+ T cell populations that rely on this receptor axis for the efficient immune control of this ubiquitous human tumor virus. Since its discovery as a tumor virus by Epstein and colleagues in 1964, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in many serious diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Currently, in vivo studies are lacking to understand the comprehensive immune control of EBV in most healthy virus carriers, and, in particular, the characteristics of the CD8+ T cells involved in this process. We find that even though CD8+ T cells express multiple inhibitory receptors including PD-1 during primary EBV infection, they appear to retain an ability to produce cytokines, to kill infected cells, and to proliferate. Importantly, blocking the PD-1 pathway leads to defects in EBV-specific control and increased virus-induced tumor formation, indicating that this axis is important for viral control. This is in contrast to previous studies where releasing an inhibitory block is important for reinvigorating immune responses against cancer. Because PD-1 function is required to keep EBV in check, this study provides evidence against blocking co-inhibitory pathways in disease settings that require improved immune control of chronic virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bithi Chatterjee
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yun Deng
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Nunez
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tarik Azzi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anne Müller
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hana Zdimerova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olga Antsiferova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - David Nadal
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark D. Robinson
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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23
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Migliori E, Chang M, Muranski P. Restoring antiviral immunity with adoptive transfer of ex-vivo generated T cells. Curr Opin Hematol 2018; 25:486-493. [PMID: 30281036 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Latent viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and adenovirus (ADV) often reactivate in immunocompromised patients, contributing to poor clinical outcomes. A rapid reconstitution of antiviral responses via adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) can prevent or eradicate even refractory infections. Here, we evaluate this strategy and the associated methodological, manufacturing and clinical advances. RECENT FINDINGS From the early pioneering but cumbersome efforts to isolate CMV-specific T cell clones, new approaches and techniques have been developed to provide quicker, safer and broader-aimed ex-vivo antigen-specific cells. New manufacturing strategies, such as the use of G-Rex flasks or 'priming' with a library of overlapping viral peptides, allow for culturing greater numbers of cells that could be patient-specific or stored in cell banks for off-the-shelf applications. Rapid isolation of T cells using major histocompatibility complex tetramer or cytokine capture approaches, or genetic reprogramming of cells to target viral antigens can accelerate the generation of potent cellular products. SUMMARY Advances in the ex-vivo generation of VSTs in academic medical centres and as off-the-shelf blood bank-based or commercially produced reagents are likely to result in broader accessibility and possible manufacturing cost reduction of these cell products, and will open new therapeutic prospects for vulnerable and critically ill immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Migliori
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology (CCTI), Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Thomas R, Al-Khadairi G, Roelands J, Hendrickx W, Dermime S, Bedognetti D, Decock J. NY-ESO-1 Based Immunotherapy of Cancer: Current Perspectives. Front Immunol 2018; 9:947. [PMID: 29770138 PMCID: PMC5941317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
NY-ESO-1 or New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 is a well-known cancer-testis antigen (CTAs) with re-expression in numerous cancer types. Its ability to elicit spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses, together with its restricted expression pattern, have rendered it a good candidate target for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide background information on NY-ESO-1 expression and function in normal and cancerous tissues. Furthermore, NY-ESO-1-specific immune responses have been observed in various cancer types; however, their utility as biomarkers are not well determined. Finally, we describe the immune-based therapeutic options targeting NY-ESO-1 that are currently in clinical trial. We will highlight the recent advancements made in NY-ESO-1 cancer vaccines, adoptive T cell therapy, and combinatorial treatment with checkpoint inhibitors and will discuss the current trends for future NY-ESO-1 based immunotherapy. Cancer treatment has been revolutionized over the last few decades with immunotherapy emerging at the forefront. Immune-based interventions have shown promising results, providing a new treatment avenue for durable clinical responses in various cancer types. The majority of successful immunotherapy studies have been reported in liquid cancers, whereas these approaches have met many challenges in solid cancers. Effective immunotherapy in solid cancers is hampered by the complex, dynamic tumor microenvironment that modulates the extent and phenotype of the antitumor immune response. Furthermore, many solid tumor-associated antigens are not private but can be found in normal somatic tissues, resulting in minor to detrimental off-target toxicities. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to identify tumor-specific antigens to target using various immune-based modalities. CTAs are considered good candidate targets for immunotherapy as they are characterized by a restricted expression in normal somatic tissues concomitant with a re-expression in solid epithelial cancers. Moreover, several CTAs have been found to induce a spontaneous immune response, NY-ESO-1 being the most immunogenic among the family members. Hence, this review will focus on NY-ESO-1 and discuss the past and current NY-ESO-1 targeted immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy Thomas
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghaneya Al-Khadairi
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jessica Roelands
- Immunology, Inflammation, and Metabolism Department, Tumor Biology, Immunology, and Therapy Section, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Hendrickx
- Immunology, Inflammation, and Metabolism Department, Tumor Biology, Immunology, and Therapy Section, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Immunology, Inflammation, and Metabolism Department, Tumor Biology, Immunology, and Therapy Section, Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
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25
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Kabanova A, Zurli V, Baldari CT. Signals Controlling Lytic Granule Polarization at the Cytotoxic Immune Synapse. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515593 PMCID: PMC5826174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic immunity relies on specialized effector T cells, the cytotoxic T cells, which are endowed with specialized cytolytic machinery that permits them to induce death of their targets. Upon recognition of a target cell, cytotoxic T cells form a lytic immune synapse and by docking the microtubule-organizing center at the synaptic membrane get prepared to deliver a lethal hit of enzymes contained in lytic granules. New insights suggest that the directionality of lytic granule trafficking along the microtubules represents a fine means to tune the functional outcome of the encounter between a T cell and its target. Thus, mechanisms regulating the directionality of granule transport may have a major impact in settings characterized by evasion from the cytotoxic response, such as chronic infection and cancer. Here, we review our current knowledge on the signaling pathways implicated in the polarized trafficking at the immune synapse of cytotoxic T cells, complementing it with information on the regulation of this process in natural killer cells. Furthermore, we highlight some of the parameters which we consider critical in studying the polarized trafficking of lytic granules, including the use of freshly isolated cytotoxic T cells, and discuss some of the major open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kabanova
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Vanessa Zurli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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26
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An optimized single chain TCR scaffold relying on the assembly with the native CD3-complex prevents residual mispairing with endogenous TCRs in human T-cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:21199-221. [PMID: 27028870 PMCID: PMC5008279 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer envisions the adoptive transfer of T-cells genetically engineered with tumor-specific heterodimeric α/β T-cell receptors (TCRα/β). However, potential mispairing of introduced TCRα/β-chains with endogenous β/α-ones may evoke unpredictable autoimmune reactivities. A novel single chain (sc)TCR format relies on the fusion of the Vα-Linker-Vβ-fragment to the TCR Cβ-domain and coexpression of the TCR Cα-domain capable of recruiting the natural CD3-complex for full and hence, native T-cell signaling. Here, we tested whether such a gp100(280-288)- or p53(264-272) tumor antigen-specific scTCR is still prone to mispairing with TCRα. In a human Jurkat-76 T-cell line lacking endogenous TCRs, surface expression and function of a scTCR could be reconstituted by any cointroduced TCRα-chain indicating mispairing to take place on a molecular basis. In contrast, transduction into human TCRα/β-positive T-cells revealed that mispairing is largely reduced. Competition experiments in Jurkat-76 confirmed the preference of dcTCR to selfpair and to spare scTCR. This also allowed for the generation of dc/scTCR-modified cytomegalovirus/tumor antigen-bispecific T-cells to augment T-cell activation in CMV-infected tumor patients. Residual mispairing was prevented by strenghtening the Vα-Li-Vβ-fragment through the design of a novel disulfide bond between a Vα- and a linker-resident residue close to Vβ. Multimer-stainings, and cytotoxicity-, IFNγ-secretion-, and CFSE-proliferation-assays, the latter towards dendritic cells endogenously processing RNA-electroporated gp100 antigen proved the absence of hybrid scTCR/TCRα-formation without impairing avidity of scTCR/Cα in T-cells. Moreover, a fragile cytomegalovirus pp65(495-503)-specific scTCR modified this way acquired enhanced cytotoxicity. Thus, optimized scTCR/Cα inhibits residual TCR mispairing to accomplish safe adoptive immunotherapy for bulk endogenous TCRα/β-positive T-cells.
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27
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A novel Epstein-Barr virus-latent membrane protein-1-specific T-cell receptor for TCR gene therapy. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:534-545. [PMID: 29360818 PMCID: PMC5830600 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T-cells to express antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) is a feasible and effective therapeutic approach for numerous types of cancers, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies. Here, we describe a TCR gene transfer regimen to rapidly and reliably generate T-cells specific to EBV-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1), which is a potential target for T-cell-based immunotherapy. METHODS A novel TCR specific to LMP1 (LMP1-TCR) was isolated from HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice that were immunised with the minimal epitope LMP1166 (TLLVDLLWL), and LMP1-TCR-transduced peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated for functional specificities. RESULTS Both human CD8 and CD4 T-cells expressing the LMP1-TCR provoked high levels of cytokine secretion and cytolytic activity towards peptide-pulsed and LMP1-expressing tumour cells. Notably, recognition of these T-cells to peptide-pulsed cells was maintained at low concentration of peptide, implying that the LMP1-TCR has high avidity. Infusion of these engineered T-cells revealed remarkable therapeutic effects and inhibition of tumour growth in a preclinical xenogeneic model. We observed explosive ex vivo proliferation of functional TCR-transduced T-cells with artificial antigen-presenting cells that express co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and 4-1BBL. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the novel TCR-targeting LMP1 might allow the potential design of T-cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies against EBV-positive malignancies.
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28
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Segal BH. Specific Adoptive T-Cell Therapy for Viral and Fungal Infections. MANAGEMENT OF INFECTIONS IN THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST 2018. [PMCID: PMC7121368 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77674-3_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in anti-infective agents, viral and fungal infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) continue to cause life-threatening complications that limit the success of HSCT. Early adoptive T-cell immunotherapy studies showed that administration of allogeneic virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (vCTL) can prevent and control viral infections and reconstitute antiviral immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Advances in immunobiology, in vitro culture technology, and current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) have provided opportunities for advancing adoptive cell therapy for viral infections: (1) T cells have been expanded targeting multiple pathogens; (2) vCTL production no longer requires viral infection or viral vector transduction of antigen-presenting cells (APCs); (3) the source of lymphocytes is no longer restricted to donors who are immune to the pathogens; (4) naive T cells have been redirected with chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CARTs) or armed with bispecific antibody-armed T cells (BATs) to mediate vCTL activity; (5) these technologies could be combined to targeted multiple viral or fungal pathogens; and (6) pathogen-specific T-cell products manufactured from third parties and banked for “off-the-shelf” use post-HSCT may soon become a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahm H. Segal
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York USA
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29
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Lo Presti E, Pizzolato G, Gulotta E, Cocorullo G, Gulotta G, Dieli F, Meraviglia S. Current Advances in γδ T Cell-Based Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1401. [PMID: 29163482 PMCID: PMC5663908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells are a minor population (~5%) of CD3 T cells in the peripheral blood, but abound in other anatomic sites such as the intestine or the skin. There are two major subsets of γδ T cells: those that express Vδ1 gene, paired with different Vγ elements, abound in the intestine and the skin, and recognize the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecules such as MHC class I-related molecule A, MHC class I-related molecule B, and UL16-binding protein expressed on many stressed and tumor cells. Conversely, γδ T cells expressing the Vδ2 gene paired with the Vγ9 chain are the predominant (50-90%) γδ T cell population in the peripheral blood and recognize phosphoantigens (PAgs) derived from the mevalonate pathway of mammalian cells, which is highly active upon infection or tumor transformation. Aminobisphosphonates (n-BPs), which inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, a downstream enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, cause accumulation of upstream PAgs and therefore promote γδ T cell activation. γδ T cells have distinctive features that justify their utilization in antitumor immunotherapy: they do not require MHC restriction and are less dependent that αβ T cells on co-stimulatory signals, produce cytokines with known antitumor effects as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α and display cytotoxic and antitumor activities in vitro and in mouse models in vivo. Thus, there is interest in the potential application of γδ T cells in tumor immunotherapy, and several small-sized clinical trials have been conducted of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy in different types of cancer after the application of PAgs or n-BPs plus interleukin-2 in vivo or after adoptive transfer of ex vivo-expanded γδ T cells, particularly the Vγ9Vδ2 subset. Results from clinical trials testing the efficacy of any of these two strategies have shown that γδ T cell-based therapy is safe, but long-term clinical results to date are inconsistent. In this review, we will discuss the major achievements and pitfalls of the γδ T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lo Presti
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzolato
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano-Milano, Italy
| | - Eliana Gulotta
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Cocorullo
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaspare Gulotta
- Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche ed Oncologiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Meraviglia
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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30
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Oncogenic role of cytomegalovirus in medulloblastoma? Cancer Lett 2017; 408:55-59. [PMID: 28844716 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common solid tumor among children. Current therapeutic strategies for this malignancy include surgical resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, these treatments are accompanied with serious side effects such as neurological complications and psychosocial problems, due to the severity of treatment on the developing nervous system. To solve this problem, novel therapeutic approaches are currently being investigated. One of them is targeting human cytomegalovirus in medulloblastoma cancer cells. However, this approach is still under debate, since the presence of cytomegalovirus in medulloblastomas remains controversial. In this review, we discuss the current controversies on the role of cytomegalovirus in medulloblastoma oncogenesis and the potential of cytomegalovirus as a novel (immuno)therapeutic target.
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31
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Chen JH, Xiang JY, Ding GP, Cao LP. Cholangiocarcinoma-derived exosomes inhibit the antitumor activity of cytokine-induced killer cells by down-regulating the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α and perforin. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2017; 17:537-44. [PMID: 27381730 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of our study is to observe the impact of cholangiocarcinoma-derived exosomes on the antitumor activities of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and then demonstrate the appropriate mechanism. METHODS Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs), which are derived from RBE cells (human cholangiocarcinoma line), were collected by ultracentrifugation. CIK cells induced from peripheral blood were stimulated by TEXs. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to determine the phenotypes of TEX-CIK and N-CIK (normal CIK) cells. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and perforin in the culture medium supernatant were examined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. A CCK-8 kit was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the CIK cells to the RBE cell line. RESULTS The concentrations of TNF-α and perforin of the group TEX-CIK were 138.61 pg/ml and 2.41 ng/ml, respectively, lower than those of the group N-CIK 194.08 pg/ml (P<0.01) and 3.39 ng/ml (P<0.05). The killing rate of the group TEX-CIK was 33.35%, lower than that of the group N-CIK (47.35% (P<0.01)). The population of CD3(+), CD8(+), NK (CD56(+)), and CD3(+)CD56(+) cells decreased in the TEX-CIK group ((63.2±6.8)%, (2.5±1.0)%, (0.53±0.49)%, (0.45±0.42)%) compared with the N-CIK group ((90.3±7.3)%, (65.7±3.3)%, (4.2±1.2)%, (15.2±2.7)%), P<0.01. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that RBE cells-derived exosomes inhibit the antitumor activity of CIK cells by down-regulating the population of CD3(+), CD8(+), NK (CD56(+)), and CD3(+)CD56(+) cells and the secretion of TNF-α and perforin. TEX may play an important role in cholangiocarcinoma immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong-Huang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Jian-Yang Xiang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Guo-Ping Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Li-Ping Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
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32
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Hu Z, Xia J, Fan W, Wargo J, Yang YG. Human melanoma immunotherapy using tumor antigen-specific T cells generated in humanized mice. Oncotarget 2016; 7:6448-59. [PMID: 26824989 PMCID: PMC4872726 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A major factor hindering the exploration of adoptive immunotherapy in preclinical settings is the limited availability of tumor-reactive human T cells. Here we developed a humanized mouse model that permits large-scale production of human T cells expressing the engineered melanoma antigen MART-1-specific TCR. Humanized mice, made by transplantation of human fetal thymic tissue and CD34+ cells virally-transduced with HLA class I-restricted melanoma antigen (MART-1)-specific TCR gene, showed efficient development of MART-1-TCR+ human T cells with predominantly CD8+ cells. Importantly, MART-1-TCR+CD8+ T cells developing in these mice were capable of mounting antigen-specific responses in vivo, as evidenced by their proliferation, phenotypic conversion and IFN-γ production following MART-1 peptide immunization. Moreover, these MART-1-TCR+CD8+ T cells mediated efficient killing of melanoma cells in an HLA/antigen-dependent manner. Adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded MART-1-TCR+CD8+ T cells induced potent antitumor responses that were further enhanced by IL-15 treatment in melanoma-bearing recipients. Finally, a short incubation of MART-1-specific T cells with rapamycin acted synergistically with IL-15, leading to significantly improved tumor-free survival in recipients with metastatic melanoma. These data demonstrate the practicality of using humanized mice to produce potentially unlimited source of tumor-specific human T cells for experimental and preclinical exploration of cancer immunotherapy. This study also suggests that pretreatment of tumor-reactive T cells with rapamycin in combination with IL-15 administration may be a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Hu
- The First Bethune Hospital and Institute of Immunology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jinxing Xia
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Fan
- The First Bethune Hospital and Institute of Immunology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jennifer Wargo
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- The First Bethune Hospital and Institute of Immunology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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33
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Tan MP, Dolton GM, Gerry AB, Brewer JE, Bennett AD, Pumphrey NJ, Jakobsen BK, Sewell AK. Human leucocyte antigen class I-redirected anti-tumour CD4 + T cells require a higher T cell receptor binding affinity for optimal activity than CD8 + T cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2016; 187:124-137. [PMID: 27324616 PMCID: PMC5167017 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T helper cells are a valuable component of the immune response towards cancer. Unfortunately, natural tumour‐specific CD4+ T cells occur in low frequency, express relatively low‐affinity T cell receptors (TCRs) and show poor reactivity towards cognate antigen. In addition, the lack of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II expression on most cancers dictates that these cells are often unable to respond to tumour cells directly. These deficiencies can be overcome by transducing primary CD4+ T cells with tumour‐specific HLA class I‐restricted TCRs prior to adoptive transfer. The lack of help from the co‐receptor CD8 glycoprotein in CD4+ cells might result in these cells requiring a different optimal TCR binding affinity. Here we compared primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing wild‐type and a range of affinity‐enhanced TCRs specific for the HLA A*0201‐restricted NY‐ESO‐1‐ and gp100 tumour antigens. Our major findings are: (i) redirected primary CD4+ T cells expressing TCRs of sufficiently high affinity exhibit a wide range of effector functions, including cytotoxicity, in response to cognate peptide; and (ii) optimal TCR binding affinity is higher in CD4+ T cells than CD8+ T cells. These results indicate that the CD4+ T cell component of current adoptive therapies using TCRs optimized for CD8+ T cells is below par and that there is room for substantial improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Tan
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - G M Dolton
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - A K Sewell
- Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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34
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Optimizing T-cell receptor gene therapy for hematologic malignancies. Blood 2016; 127:3305-11. [PMID: 27207802 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-11-629071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in genetic engineering have enabled the delivery of clinical trials using patient T cells redirected to recognize tumor-associated antigens. The most dramatic results have been seen with T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for CD19, a differentiation antigen expressed in B cells and B lineage malignancies. We propose that antigen expression in nonmalignant cells may contribute to the efficacy of T-cell therapy by maintaining effector function and promoting memory. Although CAR recognition is limited to cell surface structures, T-cell receptors (TCRs) can recognize intracellular proteins. This not only expands the range of tumor-associated self-antigens that are amenable for T-cell therapy, but also allows TCR targeting of the cancer mutagenome. We will highlight biological bottlenecks that potentially limit mutation-specific T-cell therapy and may require high-avidity TCRs that are capable of activating effector function when the concentrations of mutant peptides are low. Unexpectedly, modified TCRs with artificially high affinities function poorly in response to low concentration of cognate peptide but pose an increased safety risk as they may respond optimally to cross-reactive peptides. Recent gene-editing tools, such as transcription activator-like effector nucleases and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, provide a platform to delete endogenous TCR and HLA genes, which removes alloreactivity and decreases immunogenicity of third-party T cells. This represents an important step toward generic off-the-shelf T-cell products that may be used in the future for the treatment of large numbers of patients.
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35
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Legut M, Cole DK, Sewell AK. The promise of γδ T cells and the γδ T cell receptor for cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2015; 12:656-68. [PMID: 25864915 PMCID: PMC4716630 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2015.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells form an important part of adaptive immune responses against infections and malignant transformation. The molecular targets of human γδ T cell receptors (TCRs) remain largely unknown, but recent studies have confirmed the recognition of phosphorylated prenyl metabolites, lipids in complex with CD1 molecules and markers of cellular stress. All of these molecules are upregulated on various cancer types, highlighting the potential importance of the γδ T cell compartment in cancer immunosurveillance and paving the way for the use of γδ TCRs in cancer therapy. Ligand recognition by the γδ TCR often requires accessory/co-stimulatory stress molecules on both T cells and target cells; this cellular stress context therefore provides a failsafe against harmful self-reactivity. Unlike αβ T cells, γδ T cells recognise their targets irrespective of HLA haplotype and therefore offer exciting possibilities for off-the-shelf, pan-population cancer immunotherapies. Here, we present a review of known ligands of human γδ T cells and discuss the promise of harnessing these cells for cancer treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Antigen Presentation
- Antigens, CD1/genetics
- Antigens, CD1/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Hemiterpenes/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Ligands
- Models, Molecular
- Monitoring, Immunologic
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Organophosphorus Compounds/immunology
- Phosphorylation
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Legut
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - David K Cole
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew K Sewell
- Division of Infection and Immunity and Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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36
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Fujiwara H, Ochi T, Ochi F, Miyazaki Y, Asai H, Narita M, Okamoto S, Mineno J, Kuzushima K, Shiku H, Yasukawa M. Antileukemia multifunctionality of CD4(+) T cells genetically engineered by HLA class I-restricted and WT1-specific T-cell receptor gene transfer. Leukemia 2015; 29:2393-401. [PMID: 26104661 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
To develop gene-modified T-cell-based antileukemia adoptive immunotherapy, concomitant administration of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that have been gene modified using identical HLA class I-restricted leukemia antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer has not yet been fully investigated. Here, using CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that had been gene modified with a retroviral vector expressing HLA-A*24:02-restricted and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1)-specific TCR-α/β genes and siRNAs for endogenous TCRs (WT1-siTCR/CD4(+) T cells and WT1-siTCR/CD8(+) T cells), we examined the utility of this strategy. WT1-siTCR/CD4(+) T cells sufficiently recognized leukemia cells in an HLA class I-restricted manner and provided target-specific Th1 help for WT1-siTCR/CD8(+) T cells. By using a xenografted mouse model, we found that WT1-siTCR/CD4(+) T cells migrated to leukemia sites and subsequently attracted WT1-siTCR/CD8(+) T cells via chemotaxis. Therapy-oriented experiments revealed effective enhancement of leukemia suppression mediated by concomitant administration of WT1-siTCR/CD4(+) T cells and WT1-siTCR/CD8(+) T cells. Importantly, this augmented efficacy in the presence of WT1-siTCR/CD4(+) T cells was correlated with longer survival and enhanced formation of memory T cells by WT1-siTCR/CD8(+) T cells. Collectively, our experimental findings strongly suggest that this strategy would be clinically advantageous for the treatment of human leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Fujiwara
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - T Ochi
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan.,Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - F Ochi
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Y Miyazaki
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - H Asai
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - M Narita
- Laboratory of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Health Science, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - S Okamoto
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Takara Bio Inc., Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - J Mineno
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Takara Bio Inc., Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - K Kuzushima
- Division of Immunology, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - H Shiku
- Department of Cancer Vaccine and Immuno-Gene Therapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - M Yasukawa
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
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37
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Gilham DE, Anderson J, Bridgeman JS, Hawkins RE, Exley MA, Stauss H, Maher J, Pule M, Sewell AK, Bendle G, Lee S, Qasim W, Thrasher A, Morris E. Adoptive T-cell therapy for cancer in the United kingdom: a review of activity for the British Society of Gene and Cell Therapy annual meeting 2015. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 26:276-85. [PMID: 25860661 PMCID: PMC4442586 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy is delivering objective clinical responses across a number of cancer indications in the early phase clinical setting. Much of this clinical activity is taking place at major clinical academic centers across the United States. This review focuses upon cancer-focused cell therapy activity within the United Kingdom as a contribution to the 2015 British Society of Gene and Cell Therapy annual general meeting. This overview reflects the diversity and expansion of clinical and preclinical studies within the United Kingdom while considering the background context of this work against new infrastructural developments and the requirements of nationalized healthcare delivery within the UK National Health Service.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Edward Gilham
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom
| | - John Anderson
- UCL Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robert Edward Hawkins
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom
- Cellular Therapeutics Ltd., UMIC Bio-incubator, Manchester M13 9XX, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Adrian Exley
- MCCIR, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Stauss
- Department of Immunology, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - John Maher
- Department of Research Oncology, Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Pule
- Research Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Kelvin Sewell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Bendle
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Lee
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Waseem Qasim
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Institute, Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Thrasher
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Institute, Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Morris
- Department of Immunology, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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38
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Keller MD, Bollard CM. Immunologic special forces: anti-pathogen cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immunotherapy following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Immunotargets Ther 2014; 3:97-106. [PMID: 27274983 PMCID: PMC4889027 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s40082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-pathogen adoptive T-cell immunotherapy has been proven to be highly effective in preventing or controlling viral infections following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recent advances in manufacturing protocols allow an increased number of targeted pathogens, eliminate the need for viral transduction, broaden the potential donor pool to include pathogen-naïve sources, and reduce the time requirement for production. Early studies suggest that anti-fungal immunotherapy may also have clinical benefit. Future advances include further broadening of the pathogens that can be targeted and development of T-cells with resistance to pharmacologic immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Keller
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, washington, DC, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, and Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Health System, washington, DC, USA
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