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Wemlinger SM, Cambier JC. Therapeutic tactics for targeting B lymphocytes in autoimmunity and cancer. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2249947. [PMID: 37816494 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202249947] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
B lymphocytes have become a very popular therapeutic target in a number of autoimmune indications due to their newly appreciated roles, and approachability, in these diseases. Many of the therapies now applied in autoimmunity were initially developed to deplete malignant B cells. These strategies have also been found to benefit patients suffering from such autoimmune diseases as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. These observations have supported the expansion of research addressing the mechanistic contributions of B cells in these diseases, as well as blossoming of therapeutics that target them. This review seeks to summarize cutting-edge modalities for targeting B cells, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor-T cells, and small molecule inhibitors. Efforts to refine B-cell targeted therapy to eliminate only pathogenic autoreactive cells will be addressed as well as the potential for future B-cell-based cellular therapeutics. Finally, we also address approaches that seek to silence B-cell function without depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Wemlinger
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - John C Cambier
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Wemlinger SM, Parker Harp CR, Yu B, Hardy IR, Seefeldt M, Matsuda J, Mingueneau M, Spilker KA, Cameron TO, Larrick JW, Getahun A, Cambier JC. Preclinical Analysis of Candidate Anti-Human CD79 Therapeutic Antibodies Using a Humanized CD79 Mouse Model. J Immunol 2022; 208:1566-1584. [PMID: 35321883 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The BCR comprises a membrane-bound Ig that is noncovalently associated with a heterodimer of CD79A and CD79B. While the BCR Ig component functions to sense extracellular Ag, CD79 subunits contain cytoplasmic ITAMs that mediate intracellular propagation of BCR signals critical for B cell development, survival, and Ag-induced activation. CD79 is therefore an attractive target for Ab and chimeric Ag receptor T cell therapies for autoimmunity and B cell neoplasia. Although the mouse is an attractive model for preclinical testing, due to its well-defined immune system, an obstacle is the lack of cross-reactivity of candidate therapeutic anti-human mAbs with mouse CD79. To overcome this problem, we generated knockin mice in which the extracellular Ig-like domains of CD79A and CD79B were replaced with human equivalents. In this study, we describe the generation and characterization of mice expressing chimeric CD79 and report studies that demonstrate their utility in preclinical analysis of anti-human CD79 therapy. We demonstrate that human and mouse CD79 extracellular domains are functionally interchangeable, and that anti-human CD79 lacking Fc region effector function does not cause significant B cell depletion, but induces 1) decreased expression of plasma membrane-associated IgM and IgD, 2) uncoupling of BCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization, and 3) increased expression of PTEN, consistent with the levels observed in anergic B cells. Finally, anti-human CD79 treatment prevents disease development in two mouse models of autoimmunity. We also present evidence that anti-human CD79 treatment may inhibit Ab secretion by terminally differentiated plasmablasts and plasma cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Wemlinger
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | | | - Bo Yu
- Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, CA
| | | | | | - Jennifer Matsuda
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO; and
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Getahun
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - John C Cambier
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO;
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Leon MA, Wemlinger SM, Larson NR, Ruffalo JK, Sestak JO, Middaugh CR, Cambier JC, Berkland C. Soluble Antigen Arrays for Selective Desensitization of Insulin-Reactive B Cells. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:1563-1572. [PMID: 30681867 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b01250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are believed to be highly dependent on loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens. Currently, no treatments have been successful clinically in inducing autoantigen-specific tolerance, including efforts to utilize antigen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) to selectively correct the aberrant autoimmunity. Soluble antigen arrays (SAgAs) represent a novel autoantigen delivery system composed of a linear polymer, hyaluronic acid (HA), displaying multiple copies of conjugated autoantigen. We have previously reported that soluble antigen arrays displaying proteolipid peptide (SAgAPLP) induced tolerance to this specific multiple sclerosis (MS) autoantigen. Utilizing SAgA technology, we have developed a new ASIT as a possible type 1 diabetes (T1D) therapeutic by conjugating human insulin to HA, known as soluble antigen array insulin (SAgAIns). Three types were synthesized, low valency lvSAgAIns (2 insulins per HA), medium valency mvSAgAIns (4 insulins per HA), and, high valency hvSAgAIns (9 insulins per HA), to determine if valency differentially modulates the ex vivo activity of insulin-binding B cells (IBCs). Extensive biophysical characterization was performed for the SAgA molecules. SAgAIns molecules were successfully used to affect the biologic activity of IBCs by inducing desensitization of the B cell antigen receptors (BCR). SAgAIns bound specifically to insulin-reactive B cells without blocking epitopes recognized by antibodies against the Fc regions of membrane immunoglobulin or CD79 transducer components of the BCR. Preincubation of IBCs (125Tg) with SAgAIns, but not HA alone, rendered the IBCs refractory to restimulation. SAgAIns induced a decrease in BCR expression and IP3R-mediated intracellular calcium release. Surprisingly, SAgAIns binding to BCR on the surface of IBCs induced the observed effects at both high and low SAgAIns valency. Future studies aim to test the effects of SAgAIns on disease progression in the VH125.NOD mouse model of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Leon
- Department of Chemistry , University of Kansas , 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , United States
| | - Scott M Wemlinger
- Department Immunology & Microbiology , University of Colorado Denver AMC , 12800 E. 19th Ave. , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Nicholas R Larson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , University of Kansas , 2095 Constant Avenue , Lawrence , Kansas 66047 , United States
| | - Justin K Ruffalo
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering , University of Kansas , 1530 West 15th Street , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , United States
| | - Joshua O Sestak
- Orion BioScience , 986099 Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , Nebraska 68198 , United States
| | - C Russell Middaugh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , University of Kansas , 2095 Constant Avenue , Lawrence , Kansas 66047 , United States
| | - John C Cambier
- Department Immunology & Microbiology , University of Colorado Denver AMC , 12800 E. 19th Ave. , Aurora , Colorado 80045 , United States
| | - Cory Berkland
- Department of Chemistry , University of Kansas , 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , University of Kansas , 2095 Constant Avenue , Lawrence , Kansas 66047 , United States.,Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering , University of Kansas , 1530 West 15th Street , Lawrence , Kansas 66045 , United States
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Getahun A, Wemlinger SM, Rudra P, Santiago ML, van Dyk LF, Cambier JC. Impaired B cell function during viral infections due to PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K pathway. J Exp Med 2017; 214:931-941. [PMID: 28341640 PMCID: PMC5379973 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Getahun et al. show that the inositol phosphatase PTEN plays a role in the inhibition of B cell functions observed during acute viral infections. Transient suppression of B cell function often accompanies acute viral infection. However, the molecular signaling circuitry that enforces this hyporesponsiveness is undefined. In this study, experiments identify up-regulation of the inositol phosphatase PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) as primarily responsible for defects in B lymphocyte migration and antibody responses that accompany acute viral infection. B cells from mice acutely infected with gammaherpesvirus 68 are defective in BCR- and CXCR4-mediated activation of the PI3K pathway, and this, we show, is associated with increased PTEN expression. This viral infection-induced PTEN overexpression appears responsible for the suppression of antibody responses observed in infected mice because PTEN deficiency or expression of a constitutively active PI3K rescued function of B cells in infected mice. Conversely, induced overexpression of PTEN in B cells in uninfected mice led to suppression of antibody responses. Finally, we demonstrate that PTEN up-regulation is a common mechanism by which infection induces suppression of antibody responses. Collectively, these findings identify a novel role for PTEN during infection and identify regulation of the PI3K pathway, a mechanism previously shown to silence autoreactive B cells, as a key physiological target to control antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Getahun
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045.,Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206
| | - Scott M Wemlinger
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045.,Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206
| | - Pratyaydipta Rudra
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Mario L Santiago
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Linda F van Dyk
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045.,Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206
| | - John C Cambier
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 .,Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206
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