1
|
Hänel G, Schönle A, Neumann AS, Nixdorf D, Philipp N, Sponheimer M, Leutbecher A, Emhardt AJ, Magno G, Bücklein V, Eckmann J, Dunshee D, Kramar V, Korfi K, Colombetti S, Umaña P, Klein C, Subklewe M. Combining venetoclax and azacytidine with T-cell bispecific antibodies for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: a preclinical assessment. Leukemia 2024; 38:398-402. [PMID: 38212534 PMCID: PMC10844082 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02127-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerulf Hänel
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Schönle
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Sophie Neumann
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Nixdorf
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nora Philipp
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Sponheimer
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Leutbecher
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alica-Joana Emhardt
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Giulia Magno
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veit Bücklein
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Eckmann
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Vesna Kramar
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Koorosh Korfi
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sara Colombetti
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Umaña
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Topalov NE, Mayr D, Kuhn C, Leutbecher A, Scherer C, Kraus FBT, Tauber CV, Beyer S, Meister S, Hester A, Kolben T, Burges A, Mahner S, Trillsch F, Kessler M, Jeschke U, Czogalla B. Characterization and prognostic impact of ACTBL2-positive tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in epithelial ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22620. [PMID: 38114558 PMCID: PMC10730610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin beta-like 2 (ACTBL2) was recently identified as a new mediator of migration in ovarian cancer cells. Yet, its impact on tumor-infiltrating and thus migrating leukocytes (TILs) remains to date unknown. This study characterizes the subset of ACTBL2-expressing TILs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and elucidates their prognostic influence on the overall survival of EOC patients with special regard to different histological subtypes. Comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses of Tissue-Microarrays of 156 ovarian cancer patients revealed, that a tumor infiltration by ACTBL2-positive leukocytes was significantly associated with an improved overall survival (OS) (61.2 vs. 34.4 months; p = 0.006) and was identified as an independent prognostic factor (HR = 0.556; p = 0.038). This significant survival benefit was particularly evident in patients with low-grade serous carcinoma (OS: median not reached vs. 15.6 months, p < 0.001; HR = 0.058, p = 0.018). In the present cohort, ACTBL2-positive TILs were mainly composed of CD44-positive cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+) and macrophages (CD68+), as depicted by double-immunofluorescence and various immunohistochemical serial staining. Our results provide significant evidence of the prognostic impact and cellular composition of ACTBL2-expressing TILs in EOC. Complementary studies are required to analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms of ACTBL2 as a marker for activated migrating leukocytes and to further characterize its immunological impact on ovarian carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N E Topalov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - D Mayr
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - A Leutbecher
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C Scherer
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - F B T Kraus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C V Tauber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Beyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Meister
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Hester
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - T Kolben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Burges
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Mahner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - F Trillsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Kessler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - U Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - B Czogalla
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Khatamzas E, Antwerpen MH, Rehn A, Graf A, Hellmuth JC, Hollaus A, Mohr AW, Gaitzsch E, Weiglein T, Georgi E, Scherer C, Stecher SS, Gruetzner S, Blum H, Krebs S, Reischer A, Leutbecher A, Subklewe M, Dick A, Zange S, Girl P, Müller K, Weigert O, Hopfner KP, Stemmler HJ, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Keppler OT, Wölfel R, Muenchhoff M, Moosmann A. Accumulation of mutations in antibody and CD8 T cell epitopes in a B cell depleted lymphoma patient with chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5586. [PMID: 36151076 PMCID: PMC9508331 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32772-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can drive adaptive evolution in immunocompromised patients with chronic infection. Here we longitudinally analyze SARS-CoV-2 sequences in a B cell-depleted, lymphoma patient with chronic, ultimately fatal infection, and identify three mutations in the spike protein that dampen convalescent plasma-mediated neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, four mutations emerge in non-spike regions encoding three CD8 T cell epitopes, including one nucleoprotein epitope affected by two mutations. Recognition of each mutant peptide by CD8 T cells from convalescent donors is reduced compared to its ancestral peptide, with additive effects resulting from double mutations. Querying public SARS-CoV-2 sequences shows that these mutations have independently emerged as homoplasies in circulating lineages. Our data thus suggest that potential impacts of CD8 T cells on SARS-CoV-2 mutations, at least in those with humoral immunodeficiency, warrant further investigation to inform on vaccine design. SARS-CoV-2 mutations associated with the escape from antibody-mediated neutralization have been widely reported. Here, in a patient with defective antibody responses, the authors find a potential association between SARS-CoV-2 mutations and CD8 T alterations to implicate possible contributions of CD8 T cells in evasion of SARS-CoV-2 from host immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Khatamzas
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. .,COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Markus H Antwerpen
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Rehn
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Graf
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Christian Hellmuth
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Hollaus
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne-Wiebe Mohr
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Erik Gaitzsch
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weiglein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Enrico Georgi
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens Scherer
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephanie-Susanne Stecher
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gruetzner
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Haemostasis, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Helmut Blum
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Reischer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Leutbecher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Dick
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, University of Munich, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Zange
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Girl
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Weigert
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Peter Hopfner
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Stemmler
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver T Keppler
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.,Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Roman Wölfel
- Bundeswehr, Institute of Microbiology Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Muenchhoff
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.,Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Moosmann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Philipp N, Kazerani M, Nicholls A, Vick B, Wulf J, Straub T, Scheurer M, Muth A, Hänel G, Nixdorf D, Sponheimer M, Ohlmeyer M, Lacher SM, Brauchle B, Marcinek A, Rohrbacher L, Leutbecher A, Rejeski K, Weigert O, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Theurich S, Kischel R, Jeremias I, Bücklein V, Subklewe M. T-cell exhaustion induced by continuous bispecific molecule exposure is ameliorated by treatment-free intervals. Blood 2022; 140:1104-1118. [PMID: 35878001 PMCID: PMC10652962 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell-recruiting bispecific molecule therapy has yielded promising results in patients with hematologic malignancies; however, resistance and subsequent relapse remains a major challenge. T-cell exhaustion induced by persistent antigen stimulation or tonic receptor signaling has been reported to compromise outcomes of T-cell-based immunotherapies. The impact of continuous exposure to bispecifics on T-cell function, however, remains poorly understood. In relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, 28-day continuous infusion with the CD19xCD3 bispecific molecule blinatumomab led to declining T-cell function. In an in vitro model system, mimicking 28-day continuous infusion with the half-life-extended CD19xCD3 bispecific AMG 562, we identified hallmark features of exhaustion arising over time. Continuous AMG 562 exposure induced progressive loss of T-cell function (day 7 vs day 28 mean specific lysis: 88.4% vs 8.6%; n = 6; P = .0003). Treatment-free intervals (TFIs), achieved by AMG 562 withdrawal, were identified as a powerful strategy for counteracting exhaustion. TFIs induced strong functional reinvigoration of T cells (continuous vs TFI-specific lysis on day 14: 34.9% vs 93.4%; n = 6; P < .0001) and transcriptional reprogramming. Furthermore, use of a TFI led to improved T-cell expansion and tumor control in vivo. Our data demonstrate the relevance of T-cell exhaustion in bispecific antibody therapy and highlight that T cells can be functionally and transcriptionally rejuvenated with TFIs. In view of the growing number of bispecific molecules being evaluated in clinical trials, our findings emphasize the need to consider and evaluate TFIs in application schedules to improve clinical outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Philipp
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Maryam Kazerani
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Alyssa Nicholls
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Binje Vick
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Wulf
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Straub
- Bioinformatics Unit, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Michaela Scheurer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Amelie Muth
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerulf Hänel
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Nixdorf
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Sponheimer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Malte Ohlmeyer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja M. Lacher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina Brauchle
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Anetta Marcinek
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Rohrbacher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Leutbecher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Rejeski
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Weigert
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Experimental Leukemia and Lymphoma Research, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Theurich
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roman Kischel
- AMGEN Research Munich GmbH, Munich, Germany
- AMGEN Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA
| | - Irmela Jeremias
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Veit Bücklein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, LMU Gene Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Winheim E, Rinke L, Lutz K, Reischer A, Leutbecher A, Wolfram L, Rausch L, Kranich J, Wratil PR, Huber JE, Baumjohann D, Rothenfusser S, Schubert B, Hilgendorff A, Hellmuth JC, Scherer C, Muenchhoff M, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Stark K, Straub T, Brocker T, Keppler OT, Subklewe M, Krug AB. Impaired function and delayed regeneration of dendritic cells in COVID-19. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009742. [PMID: 34614036 PMCID: PMC8523079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease manifestations in COVID-19 range from mild to severe illness associated with a dysregulated innate immune response. Alterations in function and regeneration of dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes may contribute to immunopathology and influence adaptive immune responses in COVID-19 patients. We analyzed circulating DC and monocyte subsets in 65 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mild/moderate or severe disease from acute illness to recovery and in healthy controls. Persisting reduction of all DC subpopulations was accompanied by an expansion of proliferating Lineage−HLADR+ cells lacking DC markers. Increased frequency of CD163+ CD14+ cells within the recently discovered DC3 subpopulation in patients with more severe disease was associated with systemic inflammation, activated T follicular helper cells, and antibody-secreting cells. Persistent downregulation of CD86 and upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in conventional DCs (cDC2 and DC3) and classical monocytes associated with a reduced capacity to stimulate naïve CD4+ T cells correlated with disease severity. Long-lasting depletion and functional impairment of DCs and monocytes may have consequences for susceptibility to secondary infections and therapy of COVID-19 patients. Dendritic cells (DCs) recognize viral infections and trigger innate and adaptive antiviral immunity. COVID-19 severity is greatly influenced by the host immune response and modulation of DC generation and function after SARS-CoV-2 infection could play an important role in this disease. This study identifies a long-lasting reduction of DCs in the blood of COVID-19 patients and a functional impairment of these cells. Downregulation of costimulatory molecule CD86 and upregulation of inhibitory molecule PD-L1 in conventional DCs correlated with disease severity and were accompanied by a reduced ability to stimulate T cells. A higher frequency of CD163+ CD14+ cells in the DC3 subpopulation correlated with systemic inflammation suggesting that these cells may play a role in inflammatory responses of COVID-19 patients. Depletion and functional impairment of DCs beyond the acute phase of the disease may have consequences for susceptibility to secondary infections and clinical management of COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Winheim
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Linus Rinke
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Konstantin Lutz
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Reischer
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Leutbecher
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Wolfram
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Rausch
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Kranich
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Paul R. Wratil
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Johanna E. Huber
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Baumjohann
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Medical Clinic III for Oncology, Hematology, Immuno-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Rothenfusser
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Unit Clinical Pharmacology (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schubert
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München—German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Anne Hilgendorff
- Institute for Lung Biology and Disease and Comprehensive Pneumology Center with the CPC-M bioArchive, Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
- Center for Comprehensive Developmental Care (CDeCLMU), Dr. Von Haunersche Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes C. Hellmuth
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens Scherer
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Muenchhoff
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Stark
- COVID-19 Registry of the LMU Munich (CORKUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Straub
- Core Facility Bioinformatics, Biomedical Center, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Brocker
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver T. Keppler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
| | - Anne B. Krug
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich; Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tahk S, Vick B, Hiller B, Schmitt S, Marcinek A, Perini ED, Leutbecher A, Augsberger C, Reischer A, Tast B, Humpe A, Jeremias I, Subklewe M, Fenn NC, Hopfner KP. SIRPα-αCD123 fusion antibodies targeting CD123 in conjunction with CD47 blockade enhance the clearance of AML-initiating cells. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:155. [PMID: 34579739 PMCID: PMC8477557 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01163-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) stem cells (LSCs) cause disease relapse. The CD47 “don’t eat me signal” is upregulated on LSCs and contributes to immune evasion by inhibiting phagocytosis through interacting with myeloid-specific signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα). Activation of macrophages by blocking CD47 has been successful, but the ubiquitous expression of CD47 on healthy cells poses potential limitations for such therapies. In contrast, CD123 is a well-known LSC-specific surface marker utilized as a therapeutic target. Here, we report the development of SIRPα-αCD123 fusion antibodies that localize the disruption of CD47/SIRPα signalling to AML while specifically enhancing LSC clearance. Methods SIRPα-αCD123 antibodies were generated by fusing the extracellular domain of SIRPα to an αCD123 antibody. The binding properties of the antibodies were analysed by flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance. The functional characteristics of the fusion antibodies were determined by antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays using primary AML patient cells. Finally, an in vivo engraftment assay was utilized to assess LSC targeting. Results SIRPα-αCD123 fusion antibodies exhibited increased binding and preferential targeting of CD123+ CD47+ AML cells even in the presence of CD47+ healthy cells. Furthermore, SIRPα-αCD123 fusion antibodies confined disruption of the CD47-SIRPα axis locally to AML cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SIRPα-αCD123 antibodies greatly enhanced AML cell phagocytosis mediated by allogeneic and autologous macrophages. Moreover, SIRPα-αCD123 fusion antibodies efficiently targeted LSCs with in vivo engraftment potential. Conclusions SIRPα-αCD123 antibodies combine local CD47 blockade with specific LSC targeting in a single molecule, minimize the risk of targeting healthy cells and efficiently eliminate AML LSCs. These results validate SIRPα-αCD123 antibodies as promising therapeutic interventions for AML. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-021-01163-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siret Tahk
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Binje Vick
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Björn Hiller
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Saskia Schmitt
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Anetta Marcinek
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Enrico D Perini
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Leutbecher
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Augsberger
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Reischer
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benjamin Tast
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Humpe
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cellular Therapeutics and Hemostaseology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Irmela Jeremias
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Subklewe
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.,Laboratory for Translational Cancer Immunology, Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nadja C Fenn
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Karl-Peter Hopfner
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|