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Telarovic I, Yong CSM, Guckenberger M, Unkelbach J, Pruschy M. Radiation-induced lymphopenia does not impact treatment efficacy in a mouse tumor model. Neoplasia 2022; 31:100812. [PMID: 35667149 PMCID: PMC9168138 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Radiation-induced lymphopenia is a common occurrence in radiation oncology and an established negative prognostic factor, however the mechanisms underlying the relationship between lymphopenia and inferior survival remain elusive. The relevance of lymphocyte co-irradiation as critical normal tissue component at risk is an emerging topic of high clinical relevance, even more so in the context of potentially synergistic radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations. The impact of the radiotherapy treatment volume on the lymphocytes of healthy and tumor-bearing mice was investigated in a novel mouse model of radiation-induced lymphopenia. Using an image-guided small-animal radiotherapy treatment platform, translationally relevant tumor-oriented volumes of irradiation with an anatomically defined increasing amount of normal tissue were irradiated, with a focus on the circulating blood and lymph nodes. In healthy mice, the influence of irradiation with increasing radiotherapy treatment volumes was quantified on the level of circulating blood cells and in the spleen. A significant decrease in the lymphocytes was observed in response to irradiation, including the minimally irradiated putative tumor area. The extent of lymphopenia correlated with the increasing volumes of irradiation. In tumor-bearing mice, differential radiotherapy treatment volumes did not influence the overall therapeutic response to radiotherapy alone. Intriguingly, an improved treatment efficacy in mice treated with draining-lymph node co-irradiation was observed in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Taken together, our study reveals compelling data on the importance of radiotherapy treatment volume in the context of lymphocytes as critical components of normal tissue co-irradiation and highlights emerging challenges at the interface of radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Telarovic
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Dept. Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carmen S M Yong
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Dept. Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Dept. Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Guckenberger
- Dept. Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Unkelbach
- Dept. Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Pruschy
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Dept. Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Yong CSM, John LB, Devaud C, Prince MH, Johnstone RW, Trapani JA, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. A role for multiple chimeric antigen receptor-expressing leukocytes in antigen-specific responses to cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:34582-98. [PMID: 27153556 PMCID: PMC5085178 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While adoptive immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells can induce remission of some tumors, the role of other CAR-modified leukocytes is not well characterized. In this study, we characterize the function of leukocytes including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and CAR T cells from transgenic mice expressing a CAR under the control of the pan-hematopoietic promoter, vav, and determine the ability of these mice to respond to ERB expressing tumors. We demonstrate the anti-tumor functions of leukocytes, including antigen specific cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. The adoptive transfer of CAR T cells provided a greater survival advantage in the E0771ERB tumor model than their wildtype (WT) counterparts. In addition, CAR NK cells and CAR T cells also mediated increased survival in the RMAERB tumor model. When challenged with Her2 expressing tumors, F38 mice were shown to mount an effective immune response, resulting in tumor rejection and long-term survival. This was shown to be predominantly dependent on both CD8+ T cells and NK cells. However, macrophages and CD4+ T cells were also shown to contribute to this response. Overall, this study highlights the use of the vav-CAR mouse model as a unique tool to determine the anti-tumor function of various immune subsets, either alone or when acting alongside CAR T cells in adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen S M Yong
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liza B John
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christel Devaud
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INPT, INRA, INSERM UMR1220, UPS, France
| | - Miles H Prince
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael H Kershaw
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran Victoria, Australia
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Yong CSM, Westwood JA, Schröder J, Papenfuss AT, von Scheidt B, Moeller M, Devaud C, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Expression of a Chimeric Antigen Receptor in Multiple Leukocyte Lineages in Transgenic Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140543. [PMID: 26505904 PMCID: PMC4624721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically modified CD8+ T lymphocytes have shown significant anti-tumor effects in the adoptive immunotherapy of cancer, with recent studies highlighting a potential role for a combination of other immune subsets to enhance these results. However, limitations in present genetic modification techniques impose difficulties in our ability to fully explore the potential of various T cell subsets and assess the potential of other leukocytes armed with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). To address this issue, we generated a transgenic mouse model using a pan-hematopoietic promoter (vav) to drive the expression of a CAR specific for a tumor antigen. Here we present a characterization of the immune cell compartment in two unique vav-CAR transgenic mice models, Founder 9 (F9) and Founder 38 (F38). We demonstrate the vav promoter is indeed capable of driving the expression of a CAR in cells from both myeloid and lymphoid lineage, however the highest level of expression was observed in T lymphocytes from F38 mice. Lymphoid organs in vav-CAR mice were smaller and had reduced cell numbers compared to the wild type (WT) controls. Furthermore, the immune composition of F9 mice differed greatly with a significant reduction in lymphocytes found in the thymus, lymph node and spleen of these mice. To gain insight into the altered immune phenotype of F9 mice, we determined the chromosomal integration site of the transgene in both mouse strains using whole genome sequencing (WGS). We demonstrated that compared to the 7 copies found in F38 mice, F9 mice harbored almost 270 copies. These novel vav-CAR models provide a ready source of CAR expressing myeloid and lymphoid cells and will aid in facilitating future experiments to delineate the role for other leukocytes for adoptive immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen S. M. Yong
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Westwood
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jan Schröder
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Bioinformatics and Cancer Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
- Department of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony T. Papenfuss
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Bioinformatics and Cancer Genomics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
- Department of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bianca von Scheidt
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Maria Moeller
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Christel Devaud
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- INSERM U1043 Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, France
- * E-mail: (MK); (PD); (CD)
| | - Phillip K. Darcy
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran Victoria 3181 Australia
- * E-mail: (MK); (PD); (CD)
| | - Michael H. Kershaw
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran Victoria 3181 Australia
- * E-mail: (MK); (PD); (CD)
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Darcy PK, Neeson P, Yong CSM, Kershaw MH. Manipulating immune cells for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer. Curr Opin Immunol 2014; 27:46-52. [PMID: 24534448 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The immune system can be induced to respond against cancer with some success reported in clinical trials using a range of approaches including vaccines and antibodies. In addition to these approaches, cell based therapies are demonstrating much promise as potential therapies for cancer. In cell therapies autologous patient leukocytes are isolated and manipulated in vitro before transfer back to the patient in adoptive transfer regimens. The majority of approaches utilize conventional T cells or dendritic cells, but a wide variety of other types of leukocytes exist which can possess anti-cancer activity. In this review, we present a brief overview of T cell adoptive cell transfer followed by a review of approaches using alternate lymphocyte subsets and other leukocytes including neutrophils, macrophages and eosinophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Paul Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carmen S M Yong
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Michael H Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
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Duong CPM, Westwood JA, Yong CSM, Murphy A, Devaud C, John LB, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Engineering T cell function using chimeric antigen receptors identified using a DNA library approach. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63037. [PMID: 23667569 PMCID: PMC3646939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of cellular function holds much promise for the treatment of a variety of diseases including gene deficiencies and cancer. However, engineering the full complement of cellular functions can be a daunting genetic exercise since many molecular triggers need to be activated to achieve complete function. In the case of T cells, genes encoding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) covalently linking antibodies to cytoplasmic signaling domains can trigger some, but not all, cellular functions against cancer cells. To date, relatively few CAR formats have been investigated using a candidate molecule approach, in which rationally chosen molecules were trialed one by one. Therefore, to expedite this arduous process we developed an innovative screening method to screen many thousands of CAR formats to identify genes able to enhance the anticancer ability of T cells. We used a directional in-frame library of randomly assembled signaling domains in a CAR specific for the tumor associated antigen erbB2. Several new and original CARs were identified, one of which had an enhanced ability to lyse cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth in mice. This study highlights novel technology that could be used to screen a variety of molecules for their capacity to induce diverse functions in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie P. M. Duong
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Westwood
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carmen S. M. Yong
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Murphy
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christel Devaud
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liza B. John
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip K. Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael H. Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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