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Gonçalves MP, Farah R, Bikorimana JP, Abusarah J, EL-Hachem N, Saad W, Talbot S, Stanga D, Beaudoin S, Plouffe S, Rafei M. A1-reprogrammed mesenchymal stromal cells prime potent antitumoral responses. iScience 2024; 27:109248. [PMID: 38433914 PMCID: PMC10907831 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109248] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been modified via genetic or pharmacological engineering into potent antigen-presenting cells-like capable of priming responding CD8 T cells. In this study, our screening of a variant library of Accum molecule revealed a molecule (A1) capable of eliciting antigen cross-presentation properties in MSCs. A1-reprogrammed MSCs (ARM) exhibited improved soluble antigen uptake and processing. Our comprehensive analysis, encompassing cross-presentation assays and molecular profiling, among other cellular investigations, elucidated A1's impact on endosomal escape, reactive oxygen species production, and cytokine secretion. By evaluating ARM-based cellular vaccine in mouse models of lymphoma and melanoma, we observe significant therapeutic potency, particularly in allogeneic setting and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Overall, this study introduces a strong target for developing an antigen-adaptable vaccination platform, capable of synergizing with immune checkpoint blockers to trigger tumor regression, supporting further investigation of ARMs as an effective and versatile anti-cancer vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roudy Farah
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme EL-Hachem
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wael Saad
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Daniela Stanga
- Defence Therapeutics Inc., Research and Development branch, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Beaudoin
- Defence Therapeutics Inc., Research and Development branch, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sebastien Plouffe
- Defence Therapeutics Inc., Research and Development branch, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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2
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Bikorimana JP, Saad W, Abusarah J, Lahrichi M, Talbot S, Shammaa R, Rafei M. CD146 Defines a Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Subpopulation with Enhanced Suppressive Properties. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152263. [PMID: 35892560 PMCID: PMC9331786 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are largely known for their immune-suppressive capacity, hence, their common use in the control of unwanted inflammation. However, novel concepts related to their biology, combined with the urgent need to identify MSC subpopulations with enhanced suppressive properties, drive the search for isolation protocols optimized for clinical applications. We show, in this study, that MSCs expressing high CD146 levels exhibit altered surface expression profiles of CD44 and secrete elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6, amongst other factors. In addition, CD146hi MSCs surpass the polyclonal parental populations in inhibiting alloreactive T cells in vitro, in both a soluble- and cell-contact-dependent manner. Despite the lack of CD146hi MSC-mediated activation of peritoneal macrophages to release the suppressive factor IL-10 in vitro, their administration in animals with graft-versus-host disease alleviates inflammation and leads to 40% survival rate up to 7 weeks post-transplantation. This pronounced inhibitory property is driven by CD146-mediated in situ efferocytosis by myeloid cells. Altogether, this study provides the impetus to adopt an isolation protocol for MSCs based on a CD146 expression profile before their therapeutic use and suggests a major role played by CD146 as a novel “eat-me” signal, capable of enhancing MSC uptake by competent phagocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
| | - Wael Saad
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (W.S.); (J.A.); (M.L.); (S.T.)
| | - Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (W.S.); (J.A.); (M.L.); (S.T.)
| | - Malak Lahrichi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (W.S.); (J.A.); (M.L.); (S.T.)
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (W.S.); (J.A.); (M.L.); (S.T.)
| | - Riam Shammaa
- Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON M5R 1A8, Canada
- IntelliStem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON M5R 3N5, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (W.S.); (J.A.); (M.L.); (S.T.)
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (M.R.)
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3
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Salame N, Fooks K, El-Hachem N, Bikorimana JP, Mercier FE, Rafei M. Recent Advances in Cancer Drug Discovery Through the Use of Phenotypic Reporter Systems, Connectivity Mapping, and Pooled CRISPR Screening. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:852143. [PMID: 35795568 PMCID: PMC9250974 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.852143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-omic approaches offer an unprecedented overview of the development, plasticity, and resistance of cancer. However, the translation from anti-cancer compounds identified in vitro to clinically active drugs have a notoriously low success rate. Here, we review how technical advances in cell culture, robotics, computational biology, and development of reporter systems have transformed drug discovery, enabling screening approaches tailored to clinically relevant functional readouts (e.g., bypassing drug resistance). Illustrating with selected examples of “success stories,” we describe the process of phenotype-based high-throughput drug screening to target malignant cells or the immune system. Second, we describe computational approaches that link transcriptomic profiling of cancers with existing pharmaceutical compounds to accelerate drug repurposing. Finally, we review how CRISPR-based screening can be applied for the discovery of mechanisms of drug resistance and sensitization. Overall, we explore how the complementary strengths of each of these approaches allow them to transform the paradigm of pre-clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katharine Fooks
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - François E. Mercier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: François E. Mercier, ; Moutih Rafei,
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: François E. Mercier, ; Moutih Rafei,
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4
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Bikorimana JP, Salame N, Beaudoin S, Balood M, Crosson T, Abusarah J, Talbot S, Löbenberg R, Plouffe S, Rafei M. Promoting antigen escape from dendritic cell endosomes potentiates anti-tumoral immunity. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100534. [PMID: 35492876 PMCID: PMC9040180 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cross-presenting capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) can be limited by non-specific degradation during endosome maturation. To bypass this limitation, we present in this study a new Accum-based formulation designed to promote endosome-to-cytosol escape. Treatment of primary DCs with Accum linked to the xenoantigen ovalbumin (OVA) triggers endosomal damages and enhances protein processing. Despite multiple challenges using ascending doses of tumor cells, DC prophylactic vaccination results in complete protection due to increased levels of effector CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as high production of pro-inflammatory mediators. When combined with anti-PD-1, therapeutic vaccination using both syngeneic and allogeneic Accum-OVA-pulsed DCs triggers potent anti-tumoral responses. The net outcome culminates in increased CD11c, CD8, and NK infiltration along with a high CD8/Treg ratio. These highly favorable therapeutic effects highlight the promising potential of Accum as a distinct and potent technology platform suitable for the design of next generation cell cancer vaccines. Accum-linked antigen enhances antigen processing and presentation Pulsed dendritic cells elicit potent effector T cell responses Therapeutic vaccination using allogeneic DCs controls pre-established tumors The vaccine boosts tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and increases the CD8/Treg ratio
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Beaudoin
- Research and Development Branch, Defence Therapeutics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohammad Balood
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Théo Crosson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Raimar Löbenberg
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sebastien Plouffe
- Research and Development Branch, Defence Therapeutics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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5
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Bikorimana JP, Abusarah J, Salame N, El-Hachem N, Shammaa R, Rafei M. Humoral Immunity to Allogeneic Immunoproteasome-Expressing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Requires Efferocytosis by Endogenous Phagocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040596. [PMID: 35203247 PMCID: PMC8869887 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040596] [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: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The extensive use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) over the last decade has revolutionized modern medicine. From the delivery of pharmacological proteins to regenerative medicine and immune modulation, these cells have proven to be highly pleiotropic and responsive to their surrounding environment. Nevertheless, their role in promoting inflammation has been fairly limited by the questionable use of interferon-gamma, as this approach has also been proven to enhance the cells' immune-suppressive abilities. Alternatively, we have previously shown that de novo expression of the immunoproteasome (IPr) complex instills potent antigen cross-presentation capabilities in MSCs. Interestingly, these cells were found to express the major histocompatibility class (MHC) II protein, which prompted us to investigate their ability to stimulate humoral immunity. Using a series of in vivo studies, we found that administration of allogeneic ovalbumin (OVA)-pulsed MSC-IPr cells elicits a moderate antibody titer, which was further enhanced by the combined use of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The generated antibodies were functional as they blocked CD4 T-cell activation following their co-culture with OVA-pulsed MSC-IPr and mitigated E.G7 tumor growth in vivo. The therapeutic potency of MSC-IPr was, however, dependent on efferocytosis, as phagocyte depletion prior to vaccination abrogated MSC-IPr-induced humoral responses while promoting their survival in the host. In contrast, antibody-mediated neutralization of CD47, a potent "do not eat me signal", enhanced antibody titer levels. These observations highlight the major role played by myeloid cells in supporting antibody production by MSC-IPr and suggest that the immune outcome is dictated by a net balance between efferocytosis-stimulating and -inhibiting signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada;
| | - Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada; (J.A.); (N.E.-H.)
| | - Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada;
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada; (J.A.); (N.E.-H.)
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Riam Shammaa
- Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON M5R 1A8, Canada;
- IntelliStem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON M5R 3N5, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada;
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada; (J.A.); (N.E.-H.)
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
- Correspondence:
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6
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Salame N, Bikorimana JP, El-Hachem N, Saad W, Kurdi M, Zhao J, Eliopoulos N, Shammaa R, Rafei M. UM171A-induced ROS promote antigen cross-presentation of immunogenic peptides by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:16. [PMID: 35012668 PMCID: PMC8751335 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02693-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively used in the clinic due to their exquisite tissue repair capacity. However, they also hold promise in the field of cellular vaccination as they can behave as conditional antigen presenting cells in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma treatment under a specific treatment regimen. This suggests that the immune function of MSCs can be pharmacologically modulated. Given the capacity of the agonist pyrimido-indole derivative UM171a to trigger the expression of various antigen presentation-related genes in human hematopoietic progenitor cells, we explored the potential use of UM171a as a means to pharmacologically instill and/or promote antigen presentation by MSCs. Methods Besides completing a series of flow-cytometry-based phenotypic analyses, several functional antigen presentation assays were conducted using the SIINFEKL-specific T-cell clone B3Z. Anti-oxidants and electron transport chain inhibitors were also used to decipher UM171a’s mode of action in MSCs. Finally, the potency of UM171a-treated MSCs was evaluated in the context of therapeutic vaccination using immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with pre-established syngeneic EG.7T-cell lymphoma. Results Treatment of MSCs with UM171a triggered potent increase in H2-Kb cell surface levels along with the acquisition of antigen cross-presentation abilities. Mechanistically, such effects occurred in response to UM171a-mediated production of mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species as their neutralization using anti-oxidants or Antimycin-A mitigated MSCs’ ability to cross-present antigens. Processing and presentation of the immunogenic ovalbumin-derived SIINFEKL peptide was caused by de novo expression of the Psmb8 gene in response to UM171a-triggered oxidative stress. When evaluated for their anti-tumoral properties in the context of therapeutic vaccination, UM171a-treated MSC administration to immunocompetent mice with pre-established T-cell lymphoma controlled tumor growth resulting in 40% survival without the need of additional supportive therapy and/or standard-of-care. Conclusions Altogether, our findings reveal a new immune-related function for UM171a and clearly allude to a direct link between UM171a-mediated ROS induction and antigen cross-presentation by MSCs. The fact that UM171a treatment modulates MSCs to become antigen-presenting cells without the use of IFN-gamma opens-up a new line of investigation to search for additional agents capable of converting immune-suppressive MSCs to a cellular tool easily adaptable to vaccination. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02693-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wael Saad
- Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Mazen Kurdi
- Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Jing Zhao
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicoletta Eliopoulos
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Riam Shammaa
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON, Canada.,IntelliStem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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7
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Abusarah J, Khodayarian F, El-Hachem N, Salame N, Olivier M, Balood M, Roversi K, Talbot S, Bikorimana JP, Chen J, Jolicoeur M, Trudeau LE, Kamyabiazar S, Annabi B, Robert F, Pelletier J, El-Kadiry AEH, Shammaa R, Rafei M. Engineering immunoproteasome-expressing mesenchymal stromal cells: A potent cellular vaccine for lymphoma and melanoma in mice. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100455. [PMID: 35028603 PMCID: PMC8714858 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) excel at cross-presenting antigens, but their effectiveness as cancer vaccine is limited. Here, we describe a vaccination approach using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) engineered to express the immunoproteasome complex (MSC-IPr). Such modification instills efficient antigen cross-presentation abilities associated with enhanced major histocompatibility complex class I and CD80 expression, de novo production of interleukin-12, and higher chemokine secretion. This cross-presentation capacity of MSC-IPr is highly dependent on their metabolic activity. Compared with DCs, MSC-IPr hold the ability to cross-present a vastly different epitope repertoire, which translates into potent re-activation of T cell immunity against EL4 and A20 lymphomas and B16 melanoma tumors. Moreover, therapeutic vaccination of mice with pre-established tumors efficiently controls cancer growth, an effect further enhanced when combined with antibodies targeting PD-1, CTLA4, LAG3, or 4-1BB under both autologous and allogeneic settings. Therefore, MSC-IPr constitute a promising subset of non-hematopoietic antigen-presenting cells suitable for designing universal cell-based cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Khodayarian
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Olivier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammad Balood
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katiane Roversi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sebastien Talbot
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jingkui Chen
- Research Laboratory in Applied Metabolic Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mario Jolicoeur
- Research Laboratory in Applied Metabolic Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-Eric Trudeau
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Samaneh Kamyabiazar
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Borhane Annabi
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Francis Robert
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Riam Shammaa
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON, Canada
- IntelliStem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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8
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Bikorimana JP, El-Hachem N, El-Kadiry AEH, Abusarah J, Salame N, Shammaa R, Rafei M. Thymoproteasome-Expressing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Confer Protective Anti-Tumor Immunity via Cross-Priming of Endogenous Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 11:596303. [PMID: 33542714 PMCID: PMC7853649 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.596303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasomes are complex macromolecular structures existing in various forms to regulate a myriad of cellular processes. Besides degrading unwanted or misfolded proteins (proteostasis), distinct immune functions were ascribed for the immunoproteasome and thymoproteasome (TPr) complexes. For instance, antigen degradation during ongoing immune responses mainly relies on immunoproteasome activity, whereas intrathymic CD8 T-cell development requires peptide generation by the TPr complex. Despite these substantial differences, the functional contribution of the TPr to peripheral T-cell immunity remains ill-defined. We herein explored whether the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) engineered to exhibit altered proteasomal activity through de novo expression of the TPr complex can be exploited as a novel anti-cancer vaccine capable of triggering potent CD8 T-cell activation. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of MSC-TPr revealed a substantial decrease in MHCI (H2-Kb and H2-Dd) expression along with elevated secretion of various chemokines (CCL2, CCL9, CXCL1, LIX, and CX3CL1). In parallel, transcriptomic analysis pinpointed the limited ability of MSC-TPr to present endogenous antigens, which is consistent with their low expression levels of the peptide-loading proteins TAP, CALR, and PDAI3. Nevertheless, MSC-TPr cross-presented peptides derived from captured soluble proteins. When tested for their protective capacity, MSC-TPr triggered modest anti-tumoral responses despite efficient generation of effector memory CD4 and CD8 T cells. In contrast, clodronate administration prior to vaccination dramatically enhanced the MSC-TPr-induced anti-tumoral immunity clearly highlighting a refractory role mediated by phagocytic cells. Thus, our data elute to a DC cross-priming-dependant pathway in mediating the therapeutic effect of MSC-TPr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Genomics Institute of Precision Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Jamilah Abusarah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Riam Shammaa
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Intellistem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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9
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El-Hachem N, Eid E, Nemer G, Dbaibo G, Abbas O, Rubeiz N, Zeineldine S, Matar GM, Bikorimana JP, Shammaa R, Haibe-Kains B, Kurban M, Rafei M. Integrative Transcriptome Analyses Empower the Anti-COVID-19 Drug Arsenal. iScience 2020; 23:101697. [PMID: 33103068 PMCID: PMC7571421 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The beginning of the 21st century has been marked by three distinct waves of zoonotic coronavirus outbreaks into the human population. The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and emerged as a global threat endangering the livelihoods of millions worldwide. Currently, and despite collaborative efforts, diverse therapeutic strategies from ongoing clinical trials are still debated. To address the need for such an immediate call of action, we leveraged the largest dataset of drug-induced transcriptomic perturbations, public SARS-CoV-2 transcriptomic datasets, and expression profiles from normal lung transcriptomes. Most importantly, our unbiased systems biology approach prioritized more than 50 repurposable drug candidates (e.g., corticosteroids, Janus kinase and Bruton kinase inhibitors). Further clinical investigation of these FDA-approved candidates as monotherapy or in combination with an antiviral regimen (e.g., remdesivir) could lead to promising outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehme El-Hachem
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Genomics Innovation, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Edward Eid
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Nemer
- Division of Genomics and Translational Biomedicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghassan Dbaibo
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ossama Abbas
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nelly Rubeiz
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Salah Zeineldine
- American University of Beirut, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan M. Matar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference & Research on Bacterial Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Riam Shammaa
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Canadian Centers for Regenerative Therapy, Toronto, ON, Canada
- IntelliStem Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin Haibe-Kains
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Vector Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mazen Kurban
- Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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10
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Ayadi I, Balam S, Audran R, Bikorimana JP, Nebie I, Diakité M, Felger I, Tanner M, Spertini F, Corradin G, Arevalo M, Herrera S, Agnolon V. P. falciparum and P. vivax Orthologous Coiled-Coil Candidates for a Potential Cross-Protective Vaccine. Front Immunol 2020; 11:574330. [PMID: 33193361 PMCID: PMC7609509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.574330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last four decades, significant efforts have been invested to develop vaccines against malaria. Although most efforts are focused on the development of P. falciparum vaccines, the current availability of the parasite genomes, bioinformatics tools, and high throughput systems for both recombinant and synthetic antigen production have helped to accelerate vaccine development against the P. vivax parasite. We have previously in silico identified several P. falciparum and P. vivax proteins containing α-helical coiled-coil motifs that represent novel putative antigens for vaccine development since they are highly immunogenic and have been associated with protection in many in vitro functional assays. Here, we selected five pairs of P. falciparum and P. vivax orthologous peptides to assess their sero-reactivity using plasma samples collected in P. falciparum- endemic African countries. Pf-Pv cross-reactivity was also investigated. The pairs Pf27/Pv27, Pf43/Pv43, and Pf45/Pv45 resulted to be the most promising candidates for a cross-protective vaccine because they showed a high degree of recognition in direct and competition ELISA assays and cross-reactivity with their respective ortholog. The recognition of P. vivax peptides by plasma of P. falciparum infected individuals indicates the existence of a high degree of cross-reactivity between these two Plasmodium species. The design of longer polypeptides combining these epitopes will allow the assessment of their immunogenicity and protective efficacy in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Ayadi
- Biochemistry Department, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Saidou Balam
- University Clinical Research Center (UCRC), University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali.,Department of Internal Medicine II-Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Régine Audran
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Issa Nebie
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Mahamadou Diakité
- University Clinical Research Center (UCRC), University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Ingrid Felger
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Tanner
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - François Spertini
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Myriam Arevalo
- Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia.,Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Valentina Agnolon
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
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11
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Geiger KM, Guignard D, Yang C, Bikorimana JP, Correia BE, Houard S, Mkindi C, Daubenberger CA, Spertini F, Corradin G, Audran R. Epitope Mapping and Fine Specificity of Human T and B Cell Responses for Novel Candidate Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine P27A. Front Immunol 2020; 11:412. [PMID: 32210975 PMCID: PMC7076177 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00412] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
P27A is a novel synthetic malaria vaccine candidate derived from the blood stage Plasmodium falciparum protein Trophozoite Exported Protein 1 (TEX1/PFF0165c). In phase 1a/1b clinical trials in malaria unexposed adults in Switzerland and in malaria pre-exposed adults in Tanzania, P27A formulated with Alhydrogel and GLA-SE adjuvants induced antigen-specific antibodies and T-cell activity. The GLA-SE adjuvant induced significantly stronger humoral responses than the Alhydrogel adjuvant. Groups of pre-exposed and unexposed subjects received identical vaccine formulations, which supported the comparison of the cellular and humoral response to P27A in terms of fine specificity and affinity for populations and adjuvants. Globally, fine specificity of the T and B cell responses exhibited preferred recognized sequences and did not highlight major differences between adjuvants or populations. Affinity of anti-P27A antibodies was around 10-8 M in all groups. Pre-exposed volunteers presented anti-P27A with higher affinity than unexposed volunteers. Increasing the dose of GLA-SE from 2.5 to 5 μg in pre-exposed volunteers improved anti-P27A affinity and decreased the number of recognized epitopes. These results indicate a higher maturation of the humoral response in pre-exposed volunteers, particularly when immunized with P27A formulated with 5 μg GLA-SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M Geiger
- Biochemistry Department, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Daniel Guignard
- Biochemistry Department, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Che Yang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno E Correia
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Catherine Mkindi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Intervention and Clinical Trials, Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
| | - Claudia A Daubenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - François Spertini
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Régine Audran
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
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