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Clappaert EJ, Kancheva D, Brughmans J, Debraekeleer A, Bardet PMR, Elkrim Y, Lacroix D, Živalj M, Hamouda AE, Van Ginderachter JA, Deschoemaeker S, Laoui D. Flt3L therapy increases the abundance of Treg-promoting CCR7 + cDCs in preclinical cancer models. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166180. [PMID: 37622122 PMCID: PMC10445485 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166180] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are at the forefront of activating the immune system to mount an anti-tumor immune response. Flt3L is a cytokine required for DC development that can increase DC abundance in the tumor when administered therapeutically. However, the impact of Flt3L on the phenotype of distinct cDC subsets in the tumor microenvironment is still largely undetermined. Here, using multi-omic single-cell analysis, we show that Flt3L therapy increases all cDC subsets in orthotopic E0771 and TS/A breast cancer and LLC lung cancer models, but this did not result in a reduction of tumor growth in any of the models. Interestingly, a CD81+migcDC1 population, likely developing from cDC1, was induced upon Flt3L treatment in E0771 tumors as well as in TS/A breast and LLC lung tumors. This CD81+migcDC1 subset is characterized by the expression of both canonical cDC1 markers as well as migratory cDC activation and regulatory markers and displayed a Treg-inducing potential. To shift the cDC phenotype towards a T-cell stimulatory phenotype, CD40 agonist therapy was administered to E0771 tumor-bearing mice in combination with Flt3L. However, while αCD40 reduced tumor growth, Flt3L failed to improve the therapeutic response to αCD40 therapy. Interestingly, Flt3L+αCD40 combination therapy increased the abundance of Treg-promoting CD81+migcDC1. Nonetheless, while Treg-depletion and αCD40 therapy were synergistic, the addition of Flt3L to this combination did not result in any added benefit. Overall, these results indicate that merely increasing cDCs in the tumor by Flt3L treatment cannot improve anti-tumor responses and therefore might not be beneficial for the treatment of cancer, though could still be of use to increase cDC numbers for autologous DC-therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile J. Clappaert
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daliya Kancheva
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Brughmans
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ayla Debraekeleer
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pauline M. R. Bardet
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yvon Elkrim
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dagmar Lacroix
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maida Živalj
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmed E.I. Hamouda
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A. Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie Deschoemaeker
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damya Laoui
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Bolli E, D'Huyvetter M, Murgaski A, Berus D, Stangé G, Clappaert EJ, Arnouk S, Pombo Antunes AR, Krasniqi A, Lahoutte T, Gonçalves A, Vuylsteke M, Raes G, Devoogdt N, Movahedi K, Van Ginderachter JA. Stromal-targeting radioimmunotherapy mitigates the progression of therapy-resistant tumors. J Control Release 2019; 314:1-11. [PMID: 31626860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) aims to deliver a high radiation dose to cancer cells, while minimizing the exposure of normal cells. Typically, monoclonal antibodies are used to target the radionuclides to cancer cell surface antigens. However, antibodies face limitations due to their poor tumor penetration and suboptimal pharmacokinetics, while the expression of their target on the cancer cell surface may be gradually lost. In addition, most antigens are expressed in a limited number of tumor types. To circumvent these problems, we developed a Nanobody (Nb)-based RIT against a prominent stromal cell (stromal-targeting radioimmunotherapy or STRIT) present in nearly all tumors, the tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). Macrophage Mannose Receptor (MMR) functions as a stable molecular target on TAM residing in hypoxic areas, further allowing the delivery of a high radiation dose to the more radioresistant hypoxic tumor regions. Since MMR expression is not restricted to TAM, we first optimized a strategy to block extra-tumoral MMR to prevent therapy-induced toxicity. A 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled bivalent Nb largely blocks extra-tumoral binding of 177Lu-labeled anti-MMR Nb and prevents toxicity, while still allowing the intra-tumoral binding of the monovalent Nb. Interestingly, three doses of 177Lu-labeled anti-MMR Nb resulted in a significantly retarded tumor growth, thereby outcompeting the effects of anti-PD1, anti-VEGFR2, doxorubicin and paclitaxel in the TS/A mammary carcinoma model. Together, these data propose anti-MMR STRIT as a valid new approach for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Bolli
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'Huyvetter
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aleksandar Murgaski
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Danielle Berus
- Department of Radiation Protection, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emile J Clappaert
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sana Arnouk
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana Rita Pombo Antunes
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmet Krasniqi
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Amanda Gonçalves
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Bio Imaging Core Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Geert Raes
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In vivo Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kiavash Movahedi
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Clappaert EJ, Murgaski A, Van Damme H, Kiss M, Laoui D. Diamonds in the Rough: Harnessing Tumor-Associated Myeloid Cells for Cancer Therapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2250. [PMID: 30349530 PMCID: PMC6186813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches that engage immune cells to treat cancer are becoming increasingly utilized in the clinics and demonstrated durable clinical benefit in several solid tumor types. Most of the current immunotherapies focus on manipulating T cells, however, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is abundantly infiltrated by a heterogeneous population of tumor-associated myeloid cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated dendritic cells (TADCs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Educated by signals perceived in the TME, these cells often acquire tumor-promoting properties ultimately favoring disease progression. Upon appropriate stimuli, myeloid cells can exhibit cytoxic, phagocytic, and antigen-presenting activities thereby bolstering antitumor immune responses. Thus, depletion, reprogramming or reactivation of myeloid cells to either directly eradicate malignant cells or promote antitumor T-cell responses is an emerging field of interest. In this review, we briefly discuss the tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive roles of myeloid cells in the TME, and describe potential therapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical development that aim to target them to further expand the range of current treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile J. Clappaert
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aleksandar Murgaski
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Helena Van Damme
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mate Kiss
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damya Laoui
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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