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Wyatt MM, Huff LW, Nelson MH, Neal LR, Medvec AR, Rangel Rivera GO, Smith AS, Rivera Reyes AM, Knochelmann HM, Riley JL, Lesinski GB, Paulos CM. Augmenting TCR signal strength and ICOS costimulation results in metabolically fit and therapeutically potent human CAR Th17 cells. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2120-2131. [PMID: 37081789 PMCID: PMC10362414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.04.010] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-17-producing antigen-specific human T cells elicit potent antitumor activity in mice. Yet, refinement of this approach is needed to position it for clinical use. While activation signal strength regulates IL-17 production by CD4+ T cells, the degree to which T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and costimulation signal strength influences Th17 immunity remains unknown. We discovered that decreasing TCR/costimulation signal strength by incremental reduction of αCD3/costimulation beads progressively altered Th17 phenotype. Moreover, Th17 cells stimulated with αCD3/inducible costimulator (ICOS) beads produced more IL-17A, IFNγ, IL-2, and IL-22 than those stimulated with αCD3/CD28 beads. Compared with Th17 cells stimulated with the standard, strong signal strength (three beads per T cell), Th17 cells propagated with 30-fold fewer αCD3/ICOS beads were less reliant on glucose and favored the central carbon pathway for bioenergetics, marked by abundant intracellular phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). Importantly, Th17 cells stimulated with weak αCD3/ICOS beads and redirected with a chimeric antigen receptor that recognizes mesothelin were more effective at clearing human mesothelioma. Less effective CAR Th17 cells generated with high αCD3/ICOS beads were rescued by overexpressing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), a PEP regulator. Thus, Th17 therapy can be improved by using fewer activation beads during manufacturing, a finding that is cost effective and directly translatable to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Logan W Huff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Lillian R Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Andrew R Medvec
- Department of Microbiology, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Amalia M Rivera Reyes
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - James L Riley
- Department of Microbiology, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Surgery: Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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Nelson MH, Fritzell S, Miller R, Werchau D, Van Citters D, Nilsson A, Misher L, Ljung L, Bader R, Deronic A, Chunyk AG, Schultz L, Varas LA, Rose N, Håkansson M, Gross J, Furebring C, Pavlik P, Sundstedt A, Veitonmäki N, Ramos HJ, Säll A, Dahlman A, Bienvenue D, von Schantz L, McMahan CJ, Askmyr M, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Ellmark P. The Bispecific Tumor Antigen-Conditional 4-1BB x 5T4 Agonist, ALG.APV-527, Mediates Strong T-Cell Activation and Potent Antitumor Activity in Preclinical Studies. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:89-101. [PMID: 36343381 PMCID: PMC9808321 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0395] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137) is an activation-induced costimulatory receptor that regulates immune responses of activated CD8 T and natural killer cells, by enhancing proliferation, survival, cytolytic activity, and IFNγ production. The ability to induce potent antitumor activity by stimulating 4-1BB on tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells makes 4-1BB an attractive target for designing novel immuno-oncology therapeutics. To minimize systemic immune toxicities and enhance activity at the tumor site, we have developed a novel bispecific antibody that stimulates 4-1BB function when co-engaged with the tumor-associated antigen 5T4. ALG.APV-527 was built on the basis of the ADAPTIR bispecific platform with optimized binding domains to 4-1BB and 5T4 originating from the ALLIGATOR-GOLD human single-chain variable fragment library. The epitope of ALG.APV-527 was determined to be located at domain 1 and 2 on 4-1BB using X-ray crystallography. As shown in reporter and primary cell assays in vitro, ALG.APV-527 triggers dose-dependent 4-1BB activity mediated only by 5T4 crosslinking. In vivo, ALG.APV-527 demonstrates robust antitumor responses, by inhibiting growth of established tumors expressing human 5T4 followed by a long-lasting memory immune response. ALG.APV-527 has an antibody-like half-life in cynomolgus macaques and was well tolerated at 50.5 mg/kg. ALG.APV-527 is uniquely designed for 5T4-conditional 4-1BB-mediated antitumor activity with potential to minimize systemic immune activation and hepatotoxicity while providing efficacious tumor-specific responses in a range of 5T4-expressing tumor indications as shown by robust activity in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. On the basis of the combined preclinical dataset, ALG.APV-527 has potential as a promising anticancer therapeutic for the treatment of 5T4-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jane Gross
- Aptevo Therapeutics Inc., Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Säll
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Ellmark
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Corresponding Author: Peter Ellmark, Alligator Bioscience, Medicon Village, 223 81 Lund, Sweden. Phone: 467-9721-2739; E-mail:
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Gottschalk R, Miller R, Woodruff B, Lucas A, Haglin E, Pavlik P, Nelson MH, Ramos HJ. Abstract 3434: APVO442 is a distinct PSMA x CD3 targeted bispecific candidate designed to optimize T cell fitness and distribution to solid tumors. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-3434] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
APVO442 is a bispecific therapeutic candidate targeting PSMA and CD3 for redirection of T cell responses against PSMA-expressing solid tumors. The candidate bispecific was designed to have unique pharmacokinetic and safety properties to potentially maximize robust anti-tumor responses. APVO442 is designed with Aptevo’s ADAPTIR-FLEX࣪ technology to generate a molecule with low-affinity monovalent CD3 engagement, paired with high-affinity bivalent PSMA binding intended to be tumor - dependent while inducting optimal T-cell stimulation within the tumor microenvironment. The unique engineering of APVO442 reduces the potential peripheral CD3 T cell binding, minimizing the potential for on-target toxicity, such as peripheral cytokine release, while simultaneously increasing the likelihood to deliver an effective concentration of APVO442 locally within solid tumors. Preclinical data demonstrate that APVO442 is able to activate T cells and mediate directed cytotoxicity against PSMA-expressing tumor targets with comparable potency to α-PSMA x α-CD3 constructs with varying CD3 affinity or avidity both in vitro and in vivo. The CD3 activity is dependent on PSMA crosslinking as activity is not observed in the absence of tumor target, in line with the silenced Fc engineered into APVO442. Importantly, cytokine release was not observed in peripheral immune subsets in the absence of tumor targets, despite a beneficial cytokine profile observed in the presence of PSMA positive tumor cell lines. The unique biology elicited by APVO442 induces distinct kinetic activation of downstream transcriptional regulators following monovalent TCR engagement of APVO442 associated with reduced early signaling, but overall, a more sustained activation than higher affinity variants. In addition, APVO442 induces a distinct phenotypic profile on human T cells associated with optimal function and memory responses only in the presence of tumor targets. Further, combination of APVO442 with additional costimulatory agonists supports improved T cell activation and anti-tumor cytotoxicity in vitro. These data support the potential for unique clinical combination of APVO442 with immuno-oncology modalities that may support improved benefit in PSMA positive indications such as metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. APVO442 is undergoing further preclinical in vitro and in vivo characterization in support of the IND-enabling package.
Citation Format: Rebecca Gottschalk, Robert Miller, Brian Woodruff, Ashly Lucas, Elizabeth Haglin, Peter Pavlik, Michelle H. Nelson, Hilario J. Ramos. APVO442 is a distinct PSMA x CD3 targeted bispecific candidate designed to optimize T cell fitness and distribution to solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3434.
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Gottschalk R, Miller RE, Misher L, Nelson MH, Chunyk A, Woodruff B, Haglin E, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Pavlik P, McMahan C, Ramos HJ, Bienvenue D. Abstract LB172: APVO442: A bispecific T cell-engaging candidate utilizing the ADAPTIR-FLEXTMplatform technology with unique properties designed for optimal tumor distribution and cytotoxic response against PSMA-expressing solid tumors. Cancer Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2021-lb172] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) that is expressed on prostate cancers, including metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Current chemotherapeutic approaches for mCRPC are challenged by development of resistance resulting in limited clinical benefit. Immuno-oncology therapeutic candidates such as bispecifics re-directing T-cell responses to eliminate tumors, are a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of current approaches and provide benefit to patients with aggressive cancers. Here we present preclinical data demonstrating a potential new approach using low affinity targeting of CD3 and high affinity targeting of PSMA for treatment of a solid tumor cancer.APVO442 is Aptevo's bispecific candidate targeting PSMA and CD3. This candidate was designed to have unique pharmacokinetic and safety properties to potentially maximize potent anti-tumor responses against mCRPC. The APVO442 bispecific T-cell engager uses Aptevo's ADAPTIR-FLEX technology to generate a molecule with low-affinity monovalent CD3 engagement, paired with high-affinity bivalent PSMA binding designed to deliver a highly selective T-cell response at the tumor. The unique engineering of APVO442 reduces the potential of binding to CD3 expressed on peripheral T cells, thus minimizing the potential for on-target toxicity, such as cytokine release, and increasing the potential to deliver the effective concentration of the molecule localized to solid tumors.Preclinical testing demonstrated that APVO442 exhibits optimal manufacturability and functional characteristics for lead candidate selection. Anti-PSMA x anti-CD3 constructs with varying binding strengths to CD3 were evaluated for specificity of CD3 binding, ability to enhance T-cell activation, and ability to elicit T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against PSMA-expressing tumor targets with varying levels of PSMA expression. APVO442 demonstrated 10-fold reduced binding to CD3 and EC50 compared to the highest affinity constructs tested while retaining equivalent binding to tumor cells expressing various levels of PSMA. The differences in CD3 affinity were associated in a slightly lower EC50 of potency however, the maximal responses for in vitro activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells including upregulation of CD25/CD69 expression, proliferation and in vitro tumor lysis were comparable between low and high affinity CD3 constructs. Finally, APVO442 induced reduced levels of multiple cytokines in vitro when compared to high affinity competitor molecules.In vivo, APVO442 elicited robust anti-tumor responses of human PSMA-expressing tumors in a murine xenograft tumor model. The in vivo activity of APVO442 was comparable to high affinity CD3 engaging comparators with similarly measured PK profiles. Additional in vivo characterization of APVO442 is ongoing and continued pre-clinical studies are planned for 2021.
Citation Format: Rebecca Gottschalk, Robert E. Miller, Lynda Misher, Michelle H. Nelson, Allison Chunyk, Brian Woodruff, Elizabeth Haglin, Gabriela Hernandez-Hoyos, Peter Pavlik, Catherine McMahan, Hilario J. Ramos, David Bienvenue. APVO442: A bispecific T cell-engaging candidate utilizing the ADAPTIR-FLEXTMplatform technology with unique properties designed for optimal tumor distribution and cytotoxic response against PSMA-expressing solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB172.
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Nelson MH, Miller RE, Franke-Welch S, Chenault R, Fang H, Chunyk A, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Ramos HJ, Bienvenue D, McMahan C. Abstract LB173: APVO603: A dual 4-1BB and OX40 bispecific approach utilizing ADAPTIRTMtechnology designed to deliver a conditional T cell/NK response against solid tumors. Cancer Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2021-lb173] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
APVO603 is Aptevo's bispecific candidate targeting 4-1BB and OX40. It was designed to have unique properties with the potential to overcome some of the clinical challenges observed with monoclonal antibody targeting these receptors. APVO603 is engineered as an FcγR-signaling deficient bispecific antibody that utilizes Aptevo's ADAPTIR technology for a distinct approach for dual targeting of 4-1BB and OX40 in the absence of additional effector activity. The distinct characteristics of APVO603 may enable conditional activation of 4-1BB and OX40 via agonism of these receptors only when cross-linked via engagement of the other receptor via cis and/or trans cellular interactions. Thus, APVO603 is designed with the potential to overcome both the on-target toxicity and limited efficacy observed with 4-1BB and OX40 monoclonal antibody treatment in the clinic.
Anti-4-1BB and OX40 binding domains were optimized to increase affinity, function and stability, then incorporated into the ADAPTIR bispecific antibody platform to produce the APVO603 lead candidate. APVO603 was found to augment 4-1BB and OX40 activity in a dose-dependent manner and is strictly dependent on engagement of the reciprocal receptor to elicit 4-1BB or OX40 signaling in vitro. In preclinical assays using PBMCs sub-optimally stimulated with anti-CD3, APVO603 induces synergistic proliferation of CD4+, CD8+ T and NK cells when compared to anti-OX40 or 4-1BB antibodies with a wt Fc, included either individually or in combination. Additionally, APVO603 enhances proinflammatory cytokine production, granzyme B expression, and reduces the T cell exhaustion phenotype. The mechanistic activity of APVO603 resulted in dose-dependent control of in vivo tumor growth in a preclinical humanized murine xenograft model using established murine MB49 bladder tumors in human 4-1BB and OX40 double knock-in mice.
APVO603 is a dual-agonistic bispecific antibody that augments the effector function of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells in a dose-dependent manner and reduces growth of established tumors in vivo. This preclinical data demonstrates conditional dual stimulation of 4-1BB and OX40 and supports further development of APVO603, a promising immuno-oncology therapeutic with potential for benefit in solid tumors. This program is progressing into IND-enabling studies later this year.
Citation Format: Michelle H. Nelson, Robert E. Miller, Secil Franke-Welch, Ruth Chenault, Hang Fang, Allison Chunyk, Gabriela Hernandez-Hoyos, Hilario J. Ramos, David Bienvenue, Catherine McMahan. APVO603: A dual 4-1BB and OX40 bispecific approach utilizing ADAPTIRTMtechnology designed to deliver a conditional T cell/NK response against solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB173.
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Nelson MH, Knochelmann HM, Bailey SR, Huff LW, Bowers JS, Majchrzak-Kuligowska K, Wyatt MM, Rubinstein MP, Mehrotra S, Nishimura MI, Armeson KE, Giresi PG, Zilliox MJ, Broxmeyer HE, Paulos CM. Identification of human CD4 + T cell populations with distinct antitumor activity. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaba7443. [PMID: 32937437 PMCID: PMC7458458 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba7443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
How naturally arising human CD4+ T helper subsets affect cancer immunotherapy is unclear. We reported that human CD4+CD26high T cells elicit potent immunity against solid tumors. As CD26high T cells are often categorized as TH17 cells for their IL-17 production and high CD26 expression, we posited these populations would have similar molecular properties. Here, we reveal that CD26high T cells are epigenetically and transcriptionally distinct from TH17 cells. Of clinical importance, CD26high and TH17 cells engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) regressed large human tumors to a greater extent than enriched TH1 or TH2 cells. Only human CD26high T cells mediated curative responses, even when redirected with a suboptimal CAR and without aid by CD8+ CAR T cells. CD26high T cells cosecreted effector cytokines, produced cytotoxic molecules, and persisted long term. Collectively, our work underscores the promise of CD4+ T cell populations to improve durability of solid tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Logan W Huff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Kinga Majchrzak-Kuligowska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Kent E Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Michael J Zilliox
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Hal E Broxmeyer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA
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Knochelmann HM, Dwyer CJ, Smith AS, Bowers JS, Wyatt MM, Nelson MH, Rangel Rivera GO, Horton JD, Krieg C, Armeson K, Lesinski GB, Rubinstein MP, Li Z, Paulos CM. IL6 Fuels Durable Memory for Th17 Cell-Mediated Responses to Tumors. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3920-3932. [PMID: 32561531 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The accessibility of adoptive T-cell transfer therapies (ACT) is hindered by the cost and time required for product development. Here we describe a streamlined ACT protocol using Th17 cells expanded only 4 days ex vivo. While shortening expansion compromised cell yield, this method licensed Th17 cells to eradicate large tumors to a greater extent than cells expanded longer term. Day 4 Th17 cells engrafted, induced release of multiple cytokines including IL6, IL17, MCP-1, and GM-CSF in the tumor-bearing host, and persisted as memory cells. IL6 was a critical component for efficacy of these therapies via its promotion of long-term immunity and resistance to tumor relapse. Mechanistically, IL6 diminished engraftment of FoxP3+ donor T cells, corresponding with robust tumor infiltration by donor effector over regulatory cells for the Day 4 Th17 cell product relative to cell products expanded longer durations ex vivo. Collectively, this work describes a method to rapidly generate therapeutic T-cell products for ACT and implicates IL6 in promoting durable immunity of Th17 cells against large, established solid tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: An abbreviated, 4-day ex vivo expansion method licenses Th17 cells to confer long-lived immunity against solid malignancies via induction of systemic IL6 in the host.See related commentary by Fiering and Ho, p. 3795.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Knochelmann
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. .,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Connor J Dwyer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Guillermo O Rangel Rivera
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Joshua D Horton
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Carsten Krieg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kent Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Zihai Li
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. .,Department of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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Ansa-Addo EA, Huang HC, Riesenberg B, Iamsawat S, Borucki D, Nelson MH, Nam JH, Chung D, Paulos CM, Liu B, Yu XZ, Philpott C, Howe PH, Li Z. RNA binding protein PCBP1 is an intracellular immune checkpoint for shaping T cell responses in cancer immunity. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaaz3865. [PMID: 32523987 PMCID: PMC7259945 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Distinct lineages of T cells can act in response to various environmental cues to either drive or restrict immune-mediated pathology. Here, we identify the RNA binding protein, poly(C)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) as an intracellular immune checkpoint that is up-regulated in activated T cells to prevent conversion of effector T (Teff) cells into regulatory T (Treg) cells, by restricting the expression of Teff cell-intrinsic Treg commitment programs. This was critical for stabilizing Teff cell functions and subverting immune-suppressive signals. T cell-specific deletion of Pcbp1 favored Treg cell differentiation, enlisted multiple inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules including PD-1, TIGIT, and VISTA on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and blunted antitumor immunity. Our results demonstrate a critical role for PCBP1 as an intracellular immune checkpoint for maintaining Teff cell functions in cancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim A. Ansa-Addo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huai-Cheng Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, No.7 Chung San South Road, Taipei City 10002, Taiwan
| | - Brian Riesenberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Supinya Iamsawat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Davis Borucki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Michelle H. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jin Hyun Nam
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Dongjun Chung
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Xue-Zhong Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Caroline Philpott
- Genetics and Metabolism Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Philip H. Howe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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9
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Bailey SR, Nelson MH, Majchrzak K, Bowers JS, Wyatt MM, Smith AS, Neal LR, Shirai K, Carpenito C, June CH, Zilliox MJ, Paulos CM. Human CD26 high T cells elicit tumor immunity against multiple malignancies via enhanced migration and persistence. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1961. [PMID: 29213079 PMCID: PMC5719008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01867-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T lymphocytes mediate potent immune responses against tumor, but the role of human CD4+ T cell subsets in cancer immunotherapy remains ill-defined. Herein, we exhibit that CD26 identifies three T helper subsets with distinct immunological properties in both healthy individuals and cancer patients. Although CD26neg T cells possess a regulatory phenotype, CD26int T cells are mainly naive and CD26high T cells appear terminally differentiated and exhausted. Paradoxically, CD26high T cells persist in and regress multiple solid tumors following adoptive cell transfer. Further analysis revealed that CD26high cells have a rich chemokine receptor profile (including CCR2 and CCR5), profound cytotoxicity (Granzyme B and CD107A), resistance to apoptosis (c-KIT and Bcl2), and enhanced stemness (β-catenin and Lef1). These properties license CD26high T cells with a natural capacity to traffic to, regress and survive in solid tumors. Collectively, these findings identify CD4+ T cell subsets with properties critical for improving cancer immunotherapy. The role of human CD4+ T cell subsets in cancer immunotherapy is still unclear. Here, the authors show that CD26 identifies three CD4+ T cell subsets with distinct immunological properties in both healthy individuals and cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. .,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Aptevo Therapeutics, Seattle, WA, 98121, USA
| | - Kinga Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, 02-787, Poland
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Lillian R Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Keisuke Shirai
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 02714, USA
| | - Carmine Carpenito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael J Zilliox
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. .,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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10
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Bowers JS, Majchrzak K, Nelson MH, Aksoy BA, Wyatt MM, Smith AS, Bailey SR, Neal LR, Hammerbacher JE, Paulos CM. PI3Kδ Inhibition Enhances the Antitumor Fitness of Adoptively Transferred CD8 + T Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1221. [PMID: 29033940 PMCID: PMC5626814 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p110δ (PI3Kδ) inhibition by Idelalisib (CAL-101) in hematological malignancies directly induces apoptosis in cancer cells and disrupts immunological tolerance by depleting regulatory T cells. Yet, little is known about the direct impact of PI3Kδ blockade on effector T cells from CAL-101 therapy. Herein, we demonstrate a direct effect of p110δ inactivation via CAL-101 on murine and human CD8+ T cells that promotes a strong undifferentiated phenotype (elevated CD62L/CCR7, CD127, and Tcf7). These CAL-101 T cells also persisted longer after transfer into tumor bearing mice in both the murine syngeneic and human xenograft mouse models. The less differentiated phenotype and improved engraftment of CAL-101 T cells resulted in stronger antitumor immunity compared to traditionally expanded CD8+ T cells in both tumor models. Thus, this report describes a novel direct enhancement of CD8+ T cells by a p110δ inhibitor that leads to markedly improved tumor regression. This finding has significant implications to improve outcomes from next generation cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kinga Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Bulent Arman Aksoy
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Aubrey S Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Lillian R Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jeffrey E Hammerbacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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11
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Neal LR, Bailey SR, Wyatt MM, Bowers JS, Majchrzak K, Nelson MH, Haupt C, Paulos CM, Varela JC. The Basics of Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells in T Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapies. J Immunol Res Ther 2017; 2:68-79. [PMID: 28825053 PMCID: PMC5560309] [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] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) can mediate objective responses in patients with advanced malignancies. There have been major advances in this field, including the optimization of the ex vivo generation of tumor-reactive lymphocytes to ample numbers for effective ACT therapy via the use of natural and artificial antigen presenting cells (APCs). Herein we review the basic properties of APCs and how they have been manufactured through the years to augment vaccine and T cell-based cancer therapies. We then discuss how these novel APCs impact the function and memory properties of T cells. Finally, we propose new ways to synthesize aAPCs to augment the therapeutic effectiveness of antitumor T cells for ACT therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian R. Neal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425
| | - Stefanie R. Bailey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Megan M. Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Jacob S. Bowers
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Kinga Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Michelle H. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Carl Haupt
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Dermatological Surgery and Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Juan C. Varela
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425
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12
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Rachidi S, Metelli A, Riesenberg B, Wu BX, Nelson MH, Wallace C, Paulos CM, Rubinstein MP, Garrett-Mayer E, Hennig M, Bearden DW, Yang Y, Liu B, Li Z. Platelets subvert T cell immunity against cancer via GARP-TGFβ axis. Sci Immunol 2017; 2:2/11/eaai7911. [PMID: 28763790 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aai7911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated thrombocytosis has long been linked to poor clinical outcome, but the underlying mechanism is enigmatic. We hypothesized that platelets promote malignancy and resistance to therapy by dampening host immunity. We show that genetic targeting of platelets enhances adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. An unbiased biochemical and structural biology approach established transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and lactate as major platelet-derived soluble factors to obliterate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell functions. Moreover, we found that platelets are the dominant source of functional TGFβ systemically as well as in the tumor microenvironment through constitutive expression of the TGFβ-docking receptor glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) rather than secretion of TGFβ per se. Platelet-specific deletion of the GARP-encoding gene Lrrc32 blunted TGFβ activity at the tumor site and potentiated protective immunity against both melanoma and colon cancer. Last, this study shows that T cell therapy of cancer can be substantially improved by concurrent treatment with readily available antiplatelet agents. We conclude that platelets constrain T cell immunity through a GARP-TGFβ axis and suggest a combination of immunotherapy and platelet inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Rachidi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Alessandra Metelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Brian Riesenberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bill X Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Caroline Wallace
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Mirko Hennig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Daniel W Bearden
- National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. .,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.,First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University School of Medicine, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
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13
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Majchrzak K, Nelson MH, Bowers JS, Bailey SR, Wyatt MM, Wrangle JM, Rubinstein MP, Varela JC, Li Z, Himes RA, Chan SS, Paulos CM. β-catenin and PI3Kδ inhibition expands precursor Th17 cells with heightened stemness and antitumor activity. JCI Insight 2017; 2:90547. [PMID: 28422756 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.90547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ICOS costimulation generates Th17 cells with durable memory responses to tumor. Herein, we found that ICOS induces PI3K/p110δ/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in Th17 cells. Coinhibiting PI3Kδ and β-catenin altered the biological fate of Th17 cells. Th17 cells inhibited of both pathways expressed less RORγt, which, in turn, reduced their ability to secrete IL-17. Unexpectedly, these cells were more effective (than uninhibited cells) at regressing tumor when infused into mice, leading to long-term curative responses. PI3Kδ inhibition expanded precursor Th17 cells with a central memory phenotype that expressed nominal regulatory properties (low FoxP3), while β-catenin inhibition enhanced Th17 multifunctionality in vivo. Remarkably, upon TCR restimulation, RORγt and IL-17 rebounded in Th17 cells treated with PI3Kδ and β-catenin inhibitors. Moreover, these cells regained β-catenin, Tcf7, and Akt expression, licensing them to secrete heightened IL-2, persist, and eradicate solid tumors without help from endogenous NK and CD8 T cells. This finding shines a light on ways to repurpose FDA-approved drugs to augment T cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
| | - Megan M Wyatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
| | - John M Wrangle
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery
| | - Juan C Varela
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Richard A Himes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Neuroene Therapeutics, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sherine Sl Chan
- Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Neuroene Therapeutics, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Surgery.,Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and
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14
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Mehrotra S, Britten CD, Chin S, Garrett-Mayer E, Cloud CA, Li M, Scurti G, Salem ML, Nelson MH, Thomas MB, Paulos CM, Salazar AM, Nishimura MI, Rubinstein MP, Li Z, Cole DJ. Vaccination with poly(IC:LC) and peptide-pulsed autologous dendritic cells in patients with pancreatic cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:82. [PMID: 28388966 PMCID: PMC5384142 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0459-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [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: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) enhance the quality of anti-tumor immune response in patients with cancer. Thus, we posit that DC-based immunotherapy, in conjunction with toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 agonist poly-ICLC, is a promising approach for harnessing immunity against metastatic or locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS We generated autologous DCs from the peripheral blood of HLA-A2+ patients with PC. DCs were pulsed with three distinct A2-restricted peptides: 1) human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT, TERT572Y), 2) carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; Cap1-6D), and 3) survivin (SRV.A2). Patients received four intradermal injections of 1 × 107 peptide-pulsed DC vaccines every 2 weeks (Day 0, 14, 28, and 42). Concurrently, patients received intramuscular administration of Poly-ICLC at 30 μg/Kg on vaccination days (i.e., day 0, 14, 28, and 42), as well as on days 3, 17, 21, 31, 37, and 45. Our key objective was to assess safety and feasibility. The effect of DC vaccination on immune response was measured at each DC injection time point by enumerating the phenotype and function of patient T cells. RESULTS Twelve patients underwent apheresis: nine patients with metastatic disease, and three patients with locally advanced unresectable disease. Vaccines were successfully manufactured from all individuals. We found that this treatment was well-tolerated, with the most common symptoms being fatigue and/or self-limiting flu-like symptoms. Among the eight patients who underwent imaging on day 56, four patients experienced stable disease while four patients had disease progression. The median overall survival was 7.7 months. One patient survived for 28 months post leukapheresis. MHC class I -tetramer analysis before and after vaccination revealed effective generation of antigen-specific T cells in three patients with stable disease. CONCLUSION Vaccination with peptide-pulsed DCs in combination with poly-ICLC is safe and induces a measurable tumor specific T cell population in patients with advanced PC. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01410968 ; Name of registry: clinicaltrials.gov; Date of registration: 08/04/2011).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Present address: Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute, 380 Serpentine Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303, USA.
| | - Carolyn D Britten
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Steve Chin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Present address: Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Departmet of Population Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Colleen A Cloud
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Mingli Li
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Gina Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Mohamed L Salem
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Research and Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Melanie B Thomas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Present address: Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute, 380 Serpentine Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Andres M Salazar
- Oncovir Inc., 3202 Cleaveland Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - David J Cole
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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15
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Bowers JS, Nelson MH, Majchrzak K, Bailey SR, Rohrer B, Kaiser AD, Atkinson C, Gattinoni L, Paulos CM. Th17 cells are refractory to senescence and retain robust antitumor activity after long-term ex vivo expansion. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e90772. [PMID: 28289713 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.90772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy for solid tumors relies on infusing large numbers of T cells to mediate successful antitumor responses in patients. While long-term rapid-expansion protocols (REPs) produce sufficient numbers of CD8+ T cells for treatment, they also cause decline in the cell's therapeutic fitness. In contrast, we discovered that IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) do not require REPs to expand 5,000-fold over 3 weeks. Also, unlike Th1 cells, Th17 cells do not exhibit hallmarks of senescence or apoptosis, retaining robust antitumor efficacy in vivo. Three-week-expanded Th17 cells eliminated melanoma as effectively as Th17 cells expanded for 1 week when infused in equal numbers into mice. However, treating mice with large recalcitrant tumors required the infusion of all cells generated after 2 or 3 weeks of expansion, while the cell yield obtained after 1-week expansion was insufficient. Long-term-expanded Th17 cells also protected mice from tumor rechallenge including lung metastasis. Importantly, 2-week-expanded human chimeric antigen receptor-positive (CAR+) Th17 cells also retained their ability to regress human mesothelioma, while CAR+ Th1 cells did not. Our results indicate that tumor-reactive Th17 cells are an effective cell therapy for cancer, remaining uncompromised when expanded for a long duration owing to their resistance to senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kinga Majchrzak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Baerbel Rohrer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Luca Gattinoni
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Mehrotra S, Britten CD, Chin SH, Salem ML, Cloud C, Nelson MH, Paulos C, Garrett-Mayer E, Rubinstein MP, Li Z, Cole DJ. A feasibility and safety study of vaccination with Poly-ICLC and peptide-pulsed dendritic cells in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.e14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Carolyn D. Britten
- Department of Medicine, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | | | - Colleen Cloud
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Michelle H. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Chrystal Paulos
- Departments of Surgery and Microbiology & Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | | | - Zihai Li
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - David J. Cole
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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Nelson MH, Bowers JS, Bailey SR, Diven MA, Fugle CW, Kaiser ADM, Wrzesinski C, Liu B, Restifo NP, Paulos CM. Toll-like receptor agonist therapy can profoundly augment the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred CD8(+) T cells without host preconditioning. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:6. [PMID: 26885368 PMCID: PMC4754841 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0110-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphodepletion enhances adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) therapy by activating the innate immune system via microbes released from the radiation-injured gut. Microbial components, such as LPS, are key mediators of total body irradiation (TBI) enhancement, but our ability to strategically use these toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to bolster the potency of T cell-based therapies for cancer remains elusive. Herein, we used TLR4 agonist LPS as a tool to address how and when to use TLR agonists to effectively improve cancer immunotherapy. Methods To determine the mechanisms of how innate immune activation via lymphodepletion potentiated antitumor T cell immunity, we utilized the pmel-1 melanoma mouse model. B16F10-bearing mice were preconditioned with 5Gy TBI and given a tripartite ACT therapy (consisting of transferred pmel-1 CD8+ T cells, vaccination with fowlpox encoding gp100, and IL-2) along with TLR4 agonist LPS. The timing of LPS administration and the requirement of individual components of the tripartite therapy were evaluated based on tumor growth and the phenotype of recovered splenocytes by flow cytometry. We also evaluated the role of non-toxic and clinically used TLR4 and TLR9 agonists—monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN), respectively— for ACT therapy. Results Here we report that while exogenous administration of LPS was able to enhance adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells’ tumor destruction, LPS treatment alone did not replace individual components of the tripartite ACT regimen, or obviate TBI. Moreover, we found that sequentially administering LPS during or one day prior to ACT therapy compromised tumor regression. In contrast, administering LPS after ACT potentiated the antitumor effectiveness of the regimen, thereby supporting the expansion of transferred tumor-specific CD8+ T cells over host CD4+ T cells. We also found that non-toxic TLR agonists MPL and CpG potentiated the antitumor activity of infused CD8+ T cells. Finally, TBI was no longer needed to regress tumors in mice who were depleted of host CD4+ T cells, given a tripartite ACT regimen and then treated with low dose LPS. Conclusions Collectively, our results identify how and when to administer TLR agonists to augment T cell-based immunotherapy in the absence or presence of host preconditioning for treatment of advanced malignancies. Our findings have clinical implications for the design of next generation immune-based therapies for patients with cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-016-0110-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Nelson
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Marshall A Diven
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Caroline W Fugle
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Andrew D M Kaiser
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Claudia Wrzesinski
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
| | - Nicholas P Restifo
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425 USA
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Abstract
The immune system is designed to discriminate between self and tumor tissue. Through genetic recombination, there is fundamentally no limit to the number of tumor antigens that immune cells can recognize. Yet, tumors use a variety of immunosuppressive mechanisms to evade immunity. Insight into how the immune system interacts with tumors is expanding rapidly and has accelerated the translation of immunotherapies into medical breakthroughs. Herein, we appraise novel strategies that exploit the patient's immune system to kill cancer. We review various forms of immune-based therapies, which have shown significant promise in patients with hematologic malignancies, including (i) conventional monoclonal therapies like rituximab; (ii) engineered monoclonal antibodies called bispecific T-cell engagers; (iii) monoclonal antibodies and pharmaceutical drugs that block inhibitory T-cell pathways (i.e. PD-1, CTLA-4, and IDO); and (iv) adoptive cell transfer therapy with T cells engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors or T-cell receptors. We also assess the idea of using these therapies in combination and conclude by suggesting multi-prong approaches to improve treatment outcomes and curative responses in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Bowers JS, Nelson MH, Kundimi S, Bailey SR, Huff LW, Schwartz KM, Cole DJ, Rubinstein MP, Paulos CM. Dendritic Cells in Irradiated Mice Trigger the Functional Plasticity and Antitumor Activity of Adoptively Transferred Tc17 Cells via IL12 Signaling. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:2546-57. [PMID: 25904754 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of CD8(+) T cells is a promising treatment for advanced malignancies. Lymphodepletion before ACT enhances IFNγ(+)CD8(+) T cell (Tc0)-mediated tumor regression. Yet, how lymphodepletion regulates the function and antitumor activity of IL17A(+)CD8(+) T cells (Tc17) is unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To address this question, pmel-1 CD8(+) T cells were polarized to secrete either IL17A or IFNγ. These subsets were then infused into mice with B16F10 melanoma that were lymphoreplete [no total body irradiation (TBI)], or lymphodepleted with nonmyeloablative (5 Gy) or myeloablative (9 Gy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) TBI. The activation of innate immune cells and function of donor T-cell subsets were monitored in recipient mice. RESULTS Tc17 cells regress melanoma in myeloablated mice to a greater extent than in lymphoreplete or nonmyeloablated mice. TBI induced functional plasticity in Tc17 cells, causing conversion from IL17A to IFNγ producers. Additional investigation revealed that Tc17 plasticity and antitumor activity were mediated by IL12 secreted by irradiated host dendritic cells (DC). Neutralization of endogenous IL12 reduced the antitumor activity of Tc17 cells in myeloablated mice, whereas ex vivo priming with IL12 enhanced their capacity to regress melanoma in nonmyeloablated animals. This, coupled with exogenous administration of low-dose IL12, obviated the need for host preconditioning, creating curative responses in nonirradiated mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that TBI-induced IL12 augments Tc17 cell-mediated tumor immunity and underline the substantial implications of in vitro preparation of antitumor Tc17 cells with IL12 in the design of T-cell immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Sreenath Kundimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Logan W Huff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kristina M Schwartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - David J Cole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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Nelson MH, Kundimi S, Bowers JS, Rogers CE, Huff LW, Schwartz KM, Thyagarajan K, Little EC, Mehrotra S, Cole DJ, Rubinstein MP, Paulos CM. The inducible costimulator augments Tc17 cell responses to self and tumor tissue. J Immunol 2015; 194:1737-47. [PMID: 25576595 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The inducible costimulator (ICOS) plays a key role in the development of Th17 cells, but its role in the development and antitumor activity of IL-17-producing CD8(+) T cells (Tc17) remains unknown. We found that ICOS costimulation was important for the functional maintenance, but not differentiation, of Tc17 cells in vitro. Blocking the ICOS pathway using an antagonist mAb or by using recipient mice genetically deficient in the ICOS ligand reduced the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred Tc17 cells. Conversely, activating Tc17 cells with an ICOS agonist in vitro enhanced their capacity to eradicate melanoma and induce autoimmune vitiligo when infused into mice. However, ICOS stimulation did not augment the antitumor activity of IL-2 expanded T cells. Additional investigation revealed that ICOS stimulation not only increased IL-2Rα, CXCR3, and IL-23R expression on Tc17 cells, but also dampened their expression of suppressive molecule CD39. Although Tc17 cells activated with an ICOS agonist cosecreted heightened IL-17A, IL-9, and IFN-γ, their therapeutic effectiveness was critically dependent on IFN-γ production. Depletion of IL-17A and IL-9 had little impact on antitumor Tc17 cells activated with an ICOS agonist. Collectively, our work reveals that the ICOS pathway potentiates the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred Tc17 cells. This work has major implications for the design of vaccine, Ab and cell-based therapies for autoimmunity, infectious disease, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Sreenath Kundimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Jacob S Bowers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Carolyn E Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Logan W Huff
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Kristina M Schwartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Krishnamurthy Thyagarajan
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Elizabeth C Little
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - David J Cole
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Mark P Rubinstein
- Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and Department of Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
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Bailey SR, Nelson MH, Himes RA, Li Z, Mehrotra S, Paulos CM. Th17 cells in cancer: the ultimate identity crisis. Front Immunol 2014; 5:276. [PMID: 24987392 PMCID: PMC4060300 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a complex and controversial role in tumor immunity and have been found to exhibit a fluctuating identity within the context of cancer. The recent, expanding literature on these cells attests to their puzzling nature, either promoting or suppressing tumor growth depending on the malignancy and course of therapeutic intervention investigated. This review addresses several newly appreciated factors that may help delineate Th17 cells' immunological properties in the context of cancer. Several reports suggest that inflammatory signals induced in the tumor milieu regulate the functional fate and antitumor activity of Th17 cells. Recent findings also point to significant alterations in Th17 cells due to their interplay with regulatory T lymphocytes and cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Finally, an appreciation for the stem cell-like properties of Th17 cells that augment their persistence and activity emerges from recent reports. The impact of these factors on Th17 cells' antitumor efficacy and how these factors may be exploited to improve cancer therapies will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie R Bailey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA ; Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA ; Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Richard A Himes
- Department of Chemistry, College of Charleston , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Shikhar Mehrotra
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Chrystal M Paulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA ; Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA
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Winkelmann ER, Widman DG, Xia J, Ishikawa T, Miller-Kittrell M, Nelson MH, Bourne N, Scholle F, Mason PW, Milligan GN. Intrinsic adjuvanting of a novel single-cycle flavivirus vaccine in the absence of type I interferon receptor signaling. Vaccine 2012; 30:1465-75. [PMID: 22226862 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.12.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Revised: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical for controlling pathogenic virus infections and can enhance immune responses. Hence their impact on the effectiveness of live-attenuated vaccines involves a balance between limiting viral antigen expression and enhancing the development of adaptive immune responses. We examined the influence of type I IFNs on these parameters following immunization with RepliVAX WN, a single-cycle flavivirus vaccine (SCFV) against West Nile virus (WNV) disease. RepliVAX WN-immunized mice produced IFN-α and displayed increased IFN-stimulated gene transcription in draining lymph nodes (LN). SCFV gene expression was over 100 fold-higher on days 1-3 post-infection in type I IFN receptor knockout mice (IFNAR(-/-)) compared to wild-type (wt) mice indicating a profound IFN-mediated suppression of SCFV gene expression in the wt animals. IFNAR(-/-) mice produced nearly equivalent levels of WNV-specific serum IgG and WNV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses compared to wt mice. However, significantly higher numbers of WNV-specific CD8(+) T cells were produced by IFNAR(-/-) mice and a significantly greater percentage of these T cells from IFNAR(-/-) mice produced only IFN-γ following antigen-specific re-stimulation. This altered cytokine expression was not associated with increased antigen load suggesting the loss of type I IFN receptor signaling was responsible for the altered quality of the CD8(+) effector T cell response. Together, these results indicate that although type I IFN is not essential for the intrinsic adjuvanting of RepliVAX WN, it plays a role in shaping the cytokine secretion profiles of CD8(+) effector T cells elicited by this SCFV.
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Nelson MH, Bird MD, Chu CF, Johnson AJ, Friedrich BM, Allman WR, Milligan GN. Rapid clearance of herpes simplex virus type 2 by CD8+ T cells requires high level expression of effector T cell functions. J Reprod Immunol 2011; 89:10-7. [PMID: 21444117 PMCID: PMC3081923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/26/2010] [Revised: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CD8(+) T cells are important for resolution of HSV-2 lesions from the female genital epithelium. It is uncertain whether optimal clearance of viruses such as HSV-2 that cause a limited, non-systemic infection solely requires expression of effector functions by infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes, or if the clearance rate is reflective of the expression level of critical effector functions. To address this, CD8(+) T cells from normal OT-I mice or OT-I mice deficient in IFNγ (IFNγ(-/-)) or the IFNγ receptor (IFNγR(-/-)) were activated in vitro in the presence of IFNγ or IL-4 to generate a series of effector populations (Tc1 and Tc2-like respectively) that secreted different levels of IFNγ and expressed different levels of HSV-specific cytolytic function. Compared with Tc1 cells, Tc2-like cells produced the type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, exhibited decreased IFNγ secretion, diminished proliferation in vitro, and decreased antigen-specific cytolysis in vivo. Clearance of an ovalbumin-expressing HSV-2 strain (HSV-2 tk(-) OVA) by adoptively transferred Tc2-like cells was delayed relative to Tc1 cell recipients. Because donor Tc2-like cells proliferated in vivo and infiltrated the infected genital epithelium similar to Tc1 cells, the diminished virus clearance by Tc2-like effector cells correlated with reduced expression of critical effector functions. Together, these results suggest that high level expression of protective T cell functions by effector T cells is necessary for optimal clearance of HSV-2 from the genital epithelium. These results have important implications for vaccines designed to elicit CD8(+) T cells against viruses such as HSV-2 that infect the genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Melanie D. Bird
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Chin-Fun Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Alison J. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Brian M. Friedrich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Windy R. Allman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Gregg N. Milligan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development. University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Nelson MH, Winkelmann E, Ma Y, Xia J, Mason PW, Bourne N, Milligan GN. Immunogenicity of RepliVAX WN, a novel single-cycle West Nile virus vaccine. Vaccine 2010; 29:174-82. [PMID: 21055493 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.10.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 10/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported that immunization with RepliVAX WN, a single-cycle West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine, protected mice against WNV challenge. We have extended these studies by characterizing the RepliVAX WN-elicited antibody and T cell responses. WNV-specific IgG antibody responses comprised predominantly of IgG(2c) and IgG(2b) subclasses were detected 8 months after immunization. Vigorous WNV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses directed at both structural and nonstructural WNV proteins were detected which were characterized by cytolytic activity and secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Importantly, RepliVAX WN immunization resulted in vigorous CD8(+) memory T cell responses detected at 8 months after immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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25
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Johnson AJ, Nelson MH, Bird MD, Chu CF, Milligan GN. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific T cells activated in the absence of IFN-gamma express alternative effector functions but are not protective against genital HSV-2 infection. J Reprod Immunol 2009; 84:8-15. [PMID: 19942296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Revised: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) is important for immune resistance to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. To examine the influence of IFNgamma on the development of HSV-specific immune responses and test for IFNgamma-independent adaptive immune mechanisms of protection, IFNgamma-deficient mice (IFNgamma(-/-)) were immunized with thymidine kinase-deficient HSV-2 (HSV-2 333tk(-)). HSV-specific cellular and humoral responses were elicited in immunized IFNgamma(-/-) mice resulting in increased resistance relative to non-immune C57BL/6J (B6) mice following challenge with fully virulent HSV-2. CD8(+) T cells from IFNgamma(-/-) mice displayed cytotoxic activity and secreted TNFalpha. HSV-specific CD4(+) T cells from immunized IFNgamma(-/-) mice secreted IL-4, TNFalpha, and IL-17, but unlike T cells from HSV-immune B6 mice, could not clear virus from genital tissue following adoptive transfer. HSV-immune IFNgamma(-/-) mice produced predominantly IgG(1) HSV-specific antibodies while immune B6 mice produced predominantly IgG(2c) antibodies. Transfer of equivalent amounts of HSV-specific antibodies from either strain to naïve mice imparted equivalent early resistance against infection of the genital epithelia. However, protection against neurological symptoms mediated by immune B6 antibodies was superior late in infection. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the limited resistance of HSV-immune IFNgamma(-/-) mice to HSV-2 infection resulted from the action of HSV-specific Ab rather than IFNgamma-independent effector functions of T cells. Further, protection against neurological manifestations of HSV-2 infection was superior in mice receiving Ab from immune B6 mice suggesting that Ab-mediated protective mechanisms involving IFNgamma-induced IgG subclasses were more effective once virus had spread to neural tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chin‐Fun Chu
- PediatricsUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX
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Wu RP, Youngblood DS, Hassinger JN, Lovejoy CE, Nelson MH, Iversen PL, Moulton HM. Cell-penetrating peptides as transporters for morpholino oligomers: effects of amino acid composition on intracellular delivery and cytotoxicity. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 35:5182-91. [PMID: 17670797 PMCID: PMC1976451 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are promising transporters for intracellular delivery of antisense morpholino oligomers (PMO). Here, we determined the effect of L-arginine, D-arginine and non-α amino acids on cellular uptake, splice-correction activity, cellular toxicity and serum binding for 24 CPP−PMOs. Insertion of 6-aminohexanoic acid (X) or β-alanine (B) residues into oligoarginine R8 decreased the cellular uptake but increased the splice-correction activity of the resulting compound, with a greater increase for the sequences containing more X residues. Cellular toxicity was not observed for any of the conjugates up to 10 μM. Up to 60 μM, only the conjugates with ⩾ 5 Xs exhibited time- and concentration-dependent toxicity. Substitution of L-arginine with D-arginine did not increase uptake or splice-correction activity. High concentration of serum significantly decreased the uptake and splice-correction activity of oligoarginine conjugates, but had much less effect on the conjugates containing X or B. In summary, incorporation of X/B into oligoarginine enhanced the antisense activity and serum-binding profile of CPP−PMO. Toxicity of X/B-containing conjugates was affected by the number of Xs, treatment time and concentration. More active, stable and less toxic CPPs can be designed by optimizing the position and number of R, D-R, X and B residues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong M. Moulton
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed.+1-541-753-3635+1-541-754-3545
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Nelson MH, Stein DA, Kroeker AD, Hatlevig SA, Iversen PL, Moulton HM. Arginine-rich peptide conjugation to morpholino oligomers: effects on antisense activity and specificity. Bioconjug Chem 2005; 16:959-66. [PMID: 16029037 DOI: 10.1021/bc0501045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Noncharged antisense compounds, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), do not readily enter mammalian cells in culture. A simple and effective means for cellular delivery of PMOs is through their conjugation to arginine-rich peptides. Understanding the effect of peptide conjugation on the efficacy, toxicity, and specificity of PMOs is important to the successful application of this antisense delivery method. We investigated the effects of conjugation of arginine-rich peptides to PMO on the thermal stability, efficacy and specificity for targeted RNA of the resulting compound. In vitro translation assays showed that (1) R9F2-PMO generated antisense activity 3-25-fold higher than corresponding nonconjugated PMO, (2) the level of antisense activity enhancement by R9F2-PMO over a corresponding nonconjugated PMO is related to the GC content of the PMO sequence, (3) R9F2 conjugation reduced the minimum length of a PMO required to inactivate a target RNA from 20 bases to 14 bases, and (4) nonspecific effects of R9F2-PMO occur at lower concentrations than corresponding PMO alone. Thermal stability of heteroduplexes of PMO and complementary RNA were increased by conjugation of PMO to R9F2 peptide, likely accounting for the increased specific antisense activity of conjugated over nonconjugated PMO. A cell-culture based assay demonstrated that while conjugation to unnatural peptides increased PMO efficacy without causing nonspecificity at concentrations < or = 10 microM, only L-peptide conjugation retained high specificity at higher concentrations. This study demonstrates that conjugation of PMO to an arginine-rich peptide generally increases the binding affinity of the PMO to complementary RNA and increases its antisense potency. Additionally, it is shown that the enzymatic stability of an L- or unnatural peptide used for PMO conjugation affects the antisense properties of the resulting compound.
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Moulton HM, Nelson MH, Hatlevig SA, Reddy MT, Iversen PL. Cellular uptake of antisense morpholino oligomers conjugated to arginine-rich peptides. Bioconjug Chem 2004; 15:290-9. [PMID: 15025524 DOI: 10.1021/bc034221g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although the sequence specificity, biostability, and low toxicity of PMO (phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers) make them good antisense agents to study gene function, their limited ability to cross cell membranes limits their use in cell culture. In this paper we show that conjugation to arginine-rich peptides significantly enhanced the cellular uptake of PMO. The factors that affect the conjugate's cellular uptake and its antisense activity toward a targeted mRNA were investigated. Factors studied include the number of arginines in the peptide, the choice of cross-linker, the peptide conjugation position, the length of the PMO, and the cell culture conditions. Delivery of PMO to the cell nucleus and cytosol required conjugation rather than complexation of peptides to PMO. R(9)F(2)C was best suited to deliver a PMO to its target RNA resulting in the strongest antisense effect. By simply adding the R(9)F(2)C-PMO conjugate into the cell culture medium at low microM concentration, missplicing of pre-mRNA was corrected. This particular peptide-conjugated PMO was more effective than the PMO conjugated to the transmembrane transport peptides of HIV-1 Tat protein, Drosophila antennapedia protein, or to peptides with fewer arginines. Length of PMO did not affect a peptide's delivery efficacy, but all other factors were important. R(9)F(2)C peptide provided a simple and efficient delivery of PMO to a RNA target. Conjugation of peptide to PMO enhances the opportunities to evaluate gene functions in cell cultures.
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Abstract
Several case reports have indicated that the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine increases phenytoin blood levels when given concurrently. The mechanism of this drug-drug interaction has been attributed to inhibition of CYP2C9-catalyzed hydroxylation of phenytoin to its major oxidative metabolite in humans, para-hydroxyphenyl phenyl hydantoin (HPPH). With a bank of human liver microsomes (HLM), four SSRIs (fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine) were tested for inhibition of HPPH formation. Initially, the K(m) and V(max) values of phenytoin hydroxylation to HPPH were determined in the individual HLM samples. The average K(m) (n=8) was 9.7+/-2.9 microM. The V(max) varied fivefold, with an average value of 113+/-53 pmol HPPH/min/nmol CYP450. All of the SSRIs inhibited HPPH formation; resulting Ki values were 31.1+/-10.1 microM (fluoxetine) (n=5), 51.1+/-9.4 microM (norfluoxetine) (n=3), 52.2+/-21.5 microM (sertraline) (n=3), and 80.0+/-7.2 microM (paroxetine) (n=3). Sulfaphenazole (10 microM), utilized as a positive control for inhibition of HPPH formation, inhibited phenytoin hydroxylation (>95%) in all HLM samples. Diclofenac hydroxylation to 4'-OH diclofenac, a specific marker for CYP2C9 activity, was determined in HLM1-HLM6 and was highly correlated with HPPH formation in HLM1-HLM6, indicating that phenytoin hydroxylation in human liver microsomes is largely due to CYP2C9. This work presents direct evidence that the effect of fluoxetine on phenytoin blood levels may be explained by inhibition of CYP2C9-catalyzed phenytoin hydroxylation. In light of typical SSRI blood levels observed in patients, this study also suggests that the risk of a SSRI-phenytoin interaction is highest with fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, and less likely with sertraline and paroxetine.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Nelson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 8-101 WDH, 308 Harvard Street, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Nelson MH. Success of cataract surgery in diabetics. Ophthalmology 1999; 106:1043-4. [PMID: 10366065 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(99)90276-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Nelson MH, Birnbaum AK, Nyhus PJ, Remmel RP. A capillary GC-MS method for analysis of phenytoin and [13C3]-phenytoin from plasma obtained from pulse dose pharmacokinetic studies. J Pharm Biomed Anal 1998; 17:1311-23. [PMID: 9800650 DOI: 10.1016/s0731-7085(98)00018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stable isotope analogues of phenytoin are useful for pulse dose pharmacokinetic studies in epilepsy patients. A simultaneous assay was developed to quantitate phenytoin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin) and its stable isotope analogue [13C3]-phenytoin (5,5-diphenyl-2,4,5-13C3-hydantoin) from plasma. Quantitation was achieved by GC-MS analysis of liquid/liquid extracted plasma samples, with [2H10]-phenytoin (5,5-di(pentadeuterophenyl)-hydantoin) as an internal standard. The total coefficients of variance (C.V.t) were < 7% for phenytoin (2.5-40 micrograms ml-1) and < 10.3% for [13C3]-phenytoin (0.1-6.0 micrograms ml-1). The accuracy of the assay varied from 87.8-100.1% (phenytoin, 2.5-40 micrograms ml-1) and 89.6-116.3% ([13C3]-phenytoin, 0.02-6.0 micrograms ml-1). The assay was tested under in vivo conditions by administration of a pulse dose of the stable isotope analogue to a single rat dosed to steady-state with fosphenytoin, a phenytoin prodrug. The results of the in vivo experiment demonstrate the usefulness of this assay for future pharmacokinetic studies in special population epilepsy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Nelson
- University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Division of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Minneapolis 55455, USA
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Nelson MH. Amnesty International and the health professions. Mobius 1983; 3:34-38. [PMID: 10273621 DOI: 10.1002/chp.4760030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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