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Singh AK, Al Qureshah F, Drow T, Hou B, Rawlings DJ. Activated PI3Kδ Specifically Perturbs Mouse Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis and Function Leading to Immune Dysregulation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024:ji2400032. [PMID: 38829130 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2400032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are required for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing systemic autoimmunity. PI3Kδ is required for normal Treg development and function. However, the impacts of dysregulated PI3Kδ signaling on Treg function remain incompletely understood. In this study, we used a conditional mouse model of activated PI3Kδ syndrome to investigate the role of altered PI3Kδ signaling specifically within the Treg compartment. Activated mice expressing a PIK3CD gain-of-function mutation (aPIK3CD) specifically within the Treg compartment exhibited weight loss and evidence for chronic inflammation, as demonstrated by increased memory/effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with enhanced IFN-γ secretion, spontaneous germinal center responses, and production of broad-spectrum autoantibodies. Intriguingly, aPIK3CD facilitated Treg precursor development within the thymus and an increase in peripheral Treg numbers. Peripheral Treg, however, exhibited an altered phenotype, including increased PD-1 expression and reduced competitive fitness. Consistent with these findings, Treg-specific aPIK3CD mice mounted an elevated humoral response following immunization with a T cell-dependent Ag, which correlated with a decrease in follicular Treg. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that an optimal threshold of PI3Kδ activity is critical for Treg homeostasis and function, suggesting that PI3Kδ signaling in Treg might be therapeutically targeted to either augment or inhibit immune responses.
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2
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Hale M, Takehara KK, Thouvenel CD, Moustafa DA, Repele A, Fontana MF, Netland J, McNamara S, Gibson RL, Goldberg JB, Rawlings DJ, Pepper M. Monoclonal antibodies derived from B cells in subjects with cystic fibrosis reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa burden in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588618. [PMID: 38645147 PMCID: PMC11030358 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic, frequently multidrug-resistant pathogen that can cause severe infections in hospitalized patients. Antibodies against the PA virulence factor, PcrV, protect from death and disease in a variety of animal models. However, clinical trials of PcrV-binding antibody-based products have thus far failed to demonstrate benefit. Prior candidates were derivations of antibodies identified using protein-immunized animal systems and required extensive engineering to optimize binding and/or reduce immunogenicity. Of note, PA infections are common in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), who are generally believed to mount normal adaptive immune responses. Here we utilized a tetramer reagent to detect and isolate PcrV-specific B cells in pwCF and, via single-cell sorting and paired-chain sequencing, identified the B cell receptor (BCR) variable region sequences that confer PcrV-specificity. We derived multiple high affinity anti-PcrV monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from PcrV-specific B cells across 3 donors, including mAbs that exhibit potent anti-PA activity in a murine pneumonia model. This robust strategy for mAb discovery expands what is known about PA-specific B cells in pwCF and yields novel mAbs with potential for future clinical use.
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Zhang TT, Cheng RYH, Ott AR, Dahl NP, Suchland ER, Stoffers CM, Asher GD, Hou D, Thouvenel CD, Hill TF, Rawlings DJ, James RG. BCR signaling is required for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in immunodeficient mice receiving human B cells. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadh8846. [PMID: 38598616 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh8846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a major therapeutic challenge that has been difficult to study using human cells because of a lack of suitable models for mechanistic characterization. Here, we show that ex vivo-differentiated B cells isolated from a subset of healthy donors can elicit pathologies similar to PTLD when transferred into immunodeficient mice. The primary driver of PTLD-like pathologies were IgM-producing plasmablasts with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes that expressed genes commonly associated with EBV latency. We show that a small subset of EBV+ peripheral blood-derived B cells expressing self-reactive, nonmutated B cell receptors (BCRs) expand rapidly in culture in the absence of BCR stimulation. Furthermore, we found that in vitro and in vivo expansion of EBV+ plasmablasts required BCR signaling. Last, treatment of immunodeficient mice with the BCR pathway inhibitor, ibrutinib, delays onset of PTLD-like pathologies in vivo. These data have implications for the diagnosis and care of transplant recipients who are at risk of developing PTLD.
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Shehata L, Thouvenel CD, Hondowicz BD, Pew LA, Pritchard GH, Rawlings DJ, Choi J, Pepper M. Interleukin-4 downregulates transcription factor BCL6 to promote memory B cell selection in germinal centers. Immunity 2024; 57:843-858.e5. [PMID: 38513666 PMCID: PMC11104266 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Germinal center (GC)-derived memory B cells (MBCs) are critical for humoral immunity as they differentiate into protective antibody-secreting cells during re-infection. GC formation and cellular interactions within the GC have been studied in detail, yet the exact signals that allow for the selection and exit of MBCs are not understood. Here, we showed that IL-4 cytokine signaling in GC B cells directly downregulated the transcription factor BCL6 via negative autoregulation to release cells from the GC program and to promote MBC formation. This selection event required additional survival cues and could therefore result in either GC exit or death. We demonstrate that both increasing IL-4 bioavailability or limiting IL-4 signaling disrupted MBC selection stringency. In this way, IL-4 control of BCL6 expression serves as a tunable switch within the GC to tightly regulate MBC selection and affinity maturation.
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5
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Singh S, Pugliano CM, Honaker Y, Laird A, DeGottardi MQ, Lopez E, Lachkar S, Stoffers C, Sommer K, Khan IF, Rawlings DJ. Efficient and sustained FOXP3 locus editing in hematopoietic stem cells as a therapeutic approach for IPEX syndrome. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101183. [PMID: 38282895 PMCID: PMC10818254 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene, required for generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Loss of Treg cells leads to immune dysregulation characterized by multi-organ autoimmunity and early mortality. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation can be curative, but success is limited by autoimmune complications, donor availability and/or graft-vs.-host disease. Correction of FOXP3 in autologous HSC utilizing a homology-directed repair (HDR)-based platform may provide a safer alternative therapy. Here, we demonstrate efficient editing of FOXP3 utilizing co-delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes and adeno-associated viral vectors to achieve HDR rates of >40% in vitro using mobilized CD34+ cells from multiple donors. Using this approach to deliver either a GFP or a FOXP3 cDNA donor cassette, we demonstrate sustained bone marrow engraftment of approximately 10% of HDR-edited cells in immune-deficient recipient mice at 16 weeks post-transplant. Further, we show targeted integration of FOXP3 cDNA in CD34+ cells from an IPEX patient and expression of the introduced FOXP3 transcript in gene-edited primary T cells from both healthy individuals and IPEX patients. Our combined findings suggest that refinement of this approach is likely to provide future clinical benefit in IPEX.
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Stock AJ, Gonzalez Paredes P, de Almeida LP, Kosanke SD, Chetlur S, Budde H, Wakenight P, Zwingman TA, Rosen AB, Allenspach EJ, Millen KJ, Buckner JH, Rawlings DJ, Gorman JA. The IFIH1-A946T risk variant promotes diabetes in a sex-dependent manner. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1349601. [PMID: 38487540 PMCID: PMC10937421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1349601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pancreatic islet β-cells are attacked by the immune system, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. One of the top non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with T1D is in the interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (IFIH1), which encodes an anti-viral cytosolic RNA sensor. This SNP results in an alanine to threonine substitution at amino acid 946 (IFIH1A946T) and confers an increased risk for several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. We hypothesized that the IFIH1A946T risk variant, (IFIH1R) would promote T1D pathogenesis by stimulating type I interferon (IFN I) signaling leading to immune cell alterations. To test this, we developed Ifih1R knock-in mice on the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse background, a spontaneous T1D model. Our results revealed a modest increase in diabetes incidence and insulitis in Ifih1R compared to non-risk Ifih1 (Ifih1NR) mice and a significant acceleration of diabetes onset in Ifih1R females. Ifih1R mice exhibited a significantly enhanced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) signature compared to Ifih1NR, indicative of increased IFN I signaling. Ifih1R mice exhibited an increased frequency of plasma cells as well as tissue-dependent changes in the frequency and activation of CD8+ T cells. Our results indicate that IFIH1R may contribute to T1D pathogenesis by altering the frequency and activation of immune cells. These findings advance our knowledge on the connection between the rs1990760 variant and T1D. Further, these data are the first to demonstrate effects of Ifih1R in NOD mice, which will be important to consider for the development of therapeutics for T1D.
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Uenishi GI, Repic M, Yam JY, Landuyt A, Saikumar-Lakshmi P, Guo T, Zarin P, Sassone-Corsi M, Chicoine A, Kellogg H, Hunt M, Drow T, Tewari R, Cook PJ, Yang SJ, Cerosaletti K, Schweinoch D, Guiastrennec B, James E, Patel C, Chen TF, Buckner JH, Rawlings DJ, Wickham TJ, Mueller KT. GNTI-122: an autologous antigen-specific engineered Treg cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e171844. [PMID: 38516892 PMCID: PMC11063937 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tregs have the potential to establish long-term immune tolerance in patients recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by preserving β cell function. Adoptive transfer of autologous thymic Tregs, although safe, exhibited limited efficacy in previous T1D clinical trials, likely reflecting a lack of tissue specificity, limited IL-2 signaling support, and in vivo plasticity of Tregs. Here, we report a cell engineering strategy using bulk CD4+ T cells to generate a Treg cell therapy (GNTI-122) that stably expresses FOXP3, targets the pancreas and draining lymph nodes, and incorporates a chemically inducible signaling complex (CISC). GNTI-122 cells maintained an expression profile consistent with Treg phenotype and function. Activation of CISC using rapamycin mediated concentration-dependent STAT5 phosphorylation and, in concert with T cell receptor engagement, promoted cell proliferation. In response to the cognate antigen, GNTI-122 exhibited direct and bystander suppression of polyclonal, islet-specific effector T cells from patients with T1D. In an adoptive transfer mouse model of T1D, a mouse engineered-Treg analog of GNTI-122 trafficked to the pancreas, decreased the severity of insulitis, and prevented progression to diabetes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate in vitro and in vivo activity and support further development of GNTI-122 as a potential treatment for T1D.
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Stock AJ, Gonzalez-Paredes P, Previato de Almeida L, Kosanke SD, Chetlur S, Budde H, Wakenight P, Zwingman TA, Rosen AB, Allenspach E, Millen KJ, Buckner JH, Rawlings DJ, Gorman JA. The IFIH1-A946T risk variant promotes diabetes in a sex-dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.20.576482. [PMID: 38328221 PMCID: PMC10849491 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.20.576482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pancreatic islet β-cells are attacked by the immune system, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. One of the top non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with T1D is in the interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 ( IFIH1 ), which encodes an anti-viral cytosolic RNA sensor. This SNP results in an alanine to threonine substitution at amino acid 946 (IFIH1 A946T ) and confers an increased risk for several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. We hypothesized that the IFIH1 A946T risk variant, ( IFIH1 R ) would promote T1D pathogenesis by stimulating type I interferon (IFN I) signaling leading to immune cell alterations. To test this, we developed Ifih1 R knock-in mice on the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse background, a spontaneous T1D model. Our results revealed a modest increase in diabetes incidence and insulitis in Ifih1 R compared to non-risk Ifih1 ( Ifih1 NR ) mice and a significant acceleration of diabetes onset in Ifih1 R females. Ifih1 R mice exhibited a significantly enhanced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) signature compared to Ifih1 NR , indicative of increased IFN I signaling. Ifih1 R mice exhibited an increased frequency of plasma cells as well as tissue-dependent changes in the frequency and activation of CD8 + T cells. Our results indicate that IFIH1 R may contribute to T1D pathogenesis by altering the frequency and activation of immune cells. These findings advance our knowledge on the connection between the rs1990760 variant and T1D. Further, these data are the first to demonstrate effects of Ifih1 R in NOD mice, which will be important to consider for the development of therapeutics for T1D.
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Singh AK, Qureshah FA, Drow T, Hou B, Rawlings DJ. Activated PI3Kδ specifically perturbs mouse Treg homeostasis and function leading to immune dysregulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.569665. [PMID: 38187650 PMCID: PMC10769388 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.569665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are required for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing systemic autoimmunity. PI3Kδ is required for normal Treg development and function. However, the impacts of dysregulated PI3Kδ signaling on Treg function remain incompletely understood. Here, we used a conditional mouse model of activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS) to investigate the role of altered PI3Kδ signaling specifically within the Treg compartment. Aged mice expressing a PIK3CD gain-of-function mutation (aPIK3CD) specifically within the Treg compartment exhibited weight loss and evidence for chronic inflammation as demonstrated by increased memory/effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with enhanced IFN-γ secretion, spontaneous germinal center responses and production of broad-spectrum autoantibodies. Intriguingly, aPIK3CD facilitated Treg precursor development within the thymus and an increase in peripheral Treg numbers. Peripheral Treg, however, exhibited an altered phenotype including increased PD1 expression and reduced competitive fitness. Consistent with these findings, Treg specific-aPIK3CD mice mounted an elevated humoral response following immunization with a T-cell dependent antigen, that correlated with a decrease in follicular Treg. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that an optimal threshold of PI3Kδ activity is critical for Treg homeostasis and function, suggesting that PI3Kδ signaling in Treg might be therapeutically targeted to either augment or inhibit immune responses.
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Hunt MS, Yang SJ, Mortensen E, Boukhris A, Buckner J, Cook PJ, Rawlings DJ. Dual-locus, dual-HDR editing permits efficient generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells with robust suppressive activity. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2872-2886. [PMID: 37481700 PMCID: PMC10556186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive regulatory T (Treg) cell therapy is predicted to modulate immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the requirement for antigen (ag) specificity to optimally orchestrate tissue-specific, Treg cell-mediated tolerance limits effective clinical application. To address this challenge, we present a single-step, combinatorial gene editing strategy utilizing dual-locus, dual-homology-directed repair (HDR) to generate and specifically expand ag-specific engineered Treg (EngTreg) cells derived from donor CD4+ T cells. Concurrent delivery of CRISPR nucleases and recombinant (r)AAV homology donor templates targeting FOXP3 and TRAC was used to achieve three parallel goals: enforced, stable expression of FOXP3; replacement of the endogenous T cell receptor (TCR) with an islet-specific TCR; and selective enrichment of dual-edited cells. Each HDR donor template contained an alternative component of a heterodimeric chemically inducible signaling complex (CISC), designed to activate interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling in response to rapamycin, promoting expansion of only dual-edited EngTreg cells. Using this approach, we generated purified, islet-specific EngTreg cells that mediated robust direct and bystander suppression of effector T (Teff) cells recognizing the same or a different islet antigen peptide, respectively. This platform is broadly adaptable for use with alternative TCRs or other targeting moieties for application in tissue-specific autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.
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Shehata L, Thouvenel CD, Hondowicz BD, Pew LA, Rawlings DJ, Choi J, Pepper M. IL-4 downregulates BCL6 to promote memory B cell selection in germinal centers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525749. [PMID: 36747852 PMCID: PMC9900890 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Germinal center (GC)-derived memory B cells (MBCs) are critical for humoral immunity as they differentiate into protective antibody-secreting cells during re-infection. GC formation and cellular interactions within the GC have been studied in detail, yet the exact signals that allow for the selection and exit of MBCs are not understood. Here, we show that IL-4 signaling in GC B cells directly downregulates BCL6 via negative autoregulation to release cells from the GC program and promote MBC formation. This selection event requires additional survival cues and can therefore result in either GC exit or death. We demonstrate that both increasing IL-4 bioavailability or limiting IL-4 signaling disrupt MBC selection stringency. In this way, IL-4 control of BCL6 expression serves as a tunable switch within the GC to tightly regulate MBC selection and affinity maturation.
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Hill TF, Narvekar P, Asher G, Camp N, Thomas KR, Tasian SK, Rawlings DJ, James RG. Human plasma cells engineered to secrete bispecifics drive effective in vivo leukemia killing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554523. [PMID: 37662410 PMCID: PMC10473709 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies are an important tool for the management and treatment of acute leukemias. Advances in genome-engineering have enabled the generation of human plasma cells that secrete therapeutic proteins and are capable of long-term in vivo engraftment in humanized mouse models. As a next step towards clinical translation of engineered plasma cells (ePCs) towards cancer therapy, here we describe approaches for the expression and secretion of bispecific antibodies by human plasma cells. We show that human ePCs expressing either fragment crystallizable domain deficient anti-CD19 × anti-CD3 (blinatumomab) or anti-CD33 × anti-CD3 bispecific antibodies mediate T cell activation and direct T cell killing of specific primary human cell subsets and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia cell lines in vitro. We demonstrate that knockout of the self-expressed antigen, CD19, boosts anti-CD19 bispecific secretion by ePCs and prevents self-targeting. Further, anti-CD19 bispecific-ePCs elicited tumor eradication in vivo following local delivery in flank-implanted Raji lymphoma cells. Finally, immunodeficient mice engrafted with anti-CD19 bispecific-ePCs and autologous T cells potently prevented in vivo growth of CD19+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patient-derived xenografts. Collectively, these findings support further development of ePCs for use as a durable, local delivery system for the treatment of acute leukemias, and potentially other cancers.
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Cook PJ, Yang SJ, Uenishi GI, Grimm A, West SE, Wang LJ, Jacobs C, Repele A, Drow T, Boukhris A, Dahl NP, Sommer K, Scharenberg AM, Rawlings DJ. A chemically inducible IL-2 receptor signaling complex allows for effective in vitro and in vivo selection of engineered CD4+ T cells. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2472-2488. [PMID: 37147803 PMCID: PMC10421999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineered T cells represent an emerging therapeutic modality. However, complex engineering strategies can present a challenge for enriching and expanding therapeutic cells at clinical scale. In addition, lack of in vivo cytokine support can lead to poor engraftment of transferred T cells, including regulatory T cells (Treg). Here, we establish a cell-intrinsic selection system that leverages the dependency of primary T cells on IL-2 signaling. FRB-IL2RB and FKBP-IL2RG fusion proteins were identified permitting selective expansion of primary CD4+ T cells in rapamycin supplemented medium. This chemically inducible signaling complex (CISC) was subsequently incorporated into HDR donor templates designed to drive expression of the Treg master regulator FOXP3. Following editing of CD4+ T cells, CISC+ engineered Treg (CISC EngTreg) were selectively expanded using rapamycin and maintained Treg activity. Following transfer into immunodeficient mice treated with rapamycin, CISC EngTreg exhibited sustained engraftment in the absence of IL-2. Furthermore, in vivo CISC engagement increased the therapeutic activity of CISC EngTreg. Finally, an editing strategy targeting the TRAC locus permitted generation and selective enrichment of CISC+ functional CD19-CAR-T cells. Together, CISC provides a robust platform to achieve both in vitro enrichment and in vivo engraftment and activation, features likely beneficial across multiple gene-edited T cell applications.
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Largent AD, Lambert K, Chiang K, Shumlak N, Liggitt D, Oukka M, Torgerson TR, Buckner JH, Allenspach EJ, Rawlings DJ, Jackson SW. Dysregulated IFN-γ signals promote autoimmunity in STAT1 gain-of-function syndrome. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eade7028. [PMID: 37406138 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.ade7028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Heterozygous signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) gain-of-function (GOF) mutations promote a clinical syndrome of immune dysregulation characterized by recurrent infections and predisposition to humoral autoimmunity. To gain insights into immune characteristics of STAT1-driven inflammation, we performed deep immunophenotyping of pediatric patients with STAT1 GOF syndrome and age-matched controls. Affected individuals exhibited dysregulated CD4+ T cell and B cell activation, including expansion of TH1-skewed CXCR3+ populations that correlated with serum autoantibody titers. To dissect underlying immune mechanisms, we generated Stat1 GOF transgenic mice (Stat1GOF mice) and confirmed the development of spontaneous humoral autoimmunity that recapitulated the human phenotype. Despite clinical resemblance to human regulatory T cell (Treg) deficiency, Stat1GOF mice and humans with STAT1 GOF syndrome exhibited normal Treg development and function. In contrast, STAT1 GOF autoimmunity was characterized by adaptive immune activation driven by dysregulated STAT1-dependent signals downstream of the type 1 and type 2 interferon (IFN) receptors. However, in contrast to the prevailing type 1 IFN-centric model for STAT1 GOF autoimmunity, Stat1GOF mice lacking the type 1 IFN receptor were only partially protected from STAT1-driven systemic inflammation, whereas loss of type 2 IFN (IFN-γ) signals abrogated autoimmunity. Last, germline STAT1 GOF alleles are thought to enhance transcriptional activity by increasing total STAT1 protein, but the underlying biochemical mechanisms have not been defined. We showed that IFN-γ receptor deletion normalized total STAT1 expression across immune lineages, highlighting IFN-γ as the critical driver of feedforward STAT1 elevation in STAT1 GOF syndrome.
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Cheng RYH, de Rutte J, Ito CEK, Ott AR, Bosler L, Kuo WY, Liang J, Hall BE, Rawlings DJ, Di Carlo D, James RG. SEC-seq: association of molecular signatures with antibody secretion in thousands of single human plasma cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3567. [PMID: 37322036 PMCID: PMC10272111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The secreted products of cells drive many functions in vivo; however, methods to link this functional information to surface markers and transcriptomes have been lacking. By accumulating secretions close to secreting cells held within cavity-containing hydrogel nanovials, we demonstrate workflows to analyze the amount of IgG secreted from single human B cells and link this information to surface markers and transcriptomes from the same cells. Measurements using flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry corroborate the association between IgG secretion and CD38/CD138. By using oligonucleotide-labeled antibodies we find that upregulation of pathways for protein localization to the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are most associated with high IgG secretion, and uncover surrogate plasma cell surface markers (e.g., CD59) defined by the ability to secrete IgG. Altogether, this method links quantity of secretion with single-cell sequencing (SEC-seq) and enables researchers to fully explore the links between genome and function, laying the foundation for discoveries in immunology, stem cell biology, and beyond.
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Hernandez-Trujillo V, Zhou C, Scalchunes C, Ochs HD, Sullivan KE, Cunningham-Rundles C, Fuleihan RL, Bonilla FA, Petrovic A, Rawlings DJ, de la Morena MT. A Registry Study of 240 Patients with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia Living in the USA. J Clin Immunol 2023:10.1007/s10875-023-01502-x. [PMID: 37219739 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01502-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the natural history and clinical outcomes for patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in the United States utilizing the United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET) patient registry. METHODS The USIDNET registry was queried for data from XLA patients collected from 1981 to 2019. Data fields included demographics, clinical features before and after diagnosis of XLA, family history, genetic mutation in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), laboratory findings, treatment modalities, and mortality. RESULTS Data compiled through the USIDNET registry on 240 patients were analyzed. Patient year of birth ranged from 1945 to 2017. Living status was available for 178 patients; 158/178 (88.8%) were alive. Race was reported for 204 patients as follows: White, 148 (72.5%); Black/African American, 23 (11.2%); Hispanic, 20 (9.8%); Asian or Pacific Islander, 6 (2.9%), and other or more than one race, 7 (3.4%). The median age at last entry, age at disease onset, age at diagnosis, and length of time with XLA diagnosis was 15 [range (r) = 1-52 years], 0.8 [r = birth-22.3 years], 2 [r = birth-29 years], and 10 [r = 1-56 years] years respectively. One hundred and forty-one patients (58.7%) were < 18 years of age. Two hundred and twenty-one (92%) patients were receiving IgG replacement (IgGR), 58 (24%) were on prophylactic antibiotics, and 19 (7.9%) were on immunomodulatory drugs. Eighty-six (35.9%) patients had undergone surgical procedures, two had undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation, and two required liver transplantation. The respiratory tract was the most affected organ system (51.2% of patients) followed by gastrointestinal (40%), neurological (35.4%), and musculoskeletal (28.3%). Infections were common both before and after diagnosis, despite IgGR therapy. Bacteremia/sepsis and meningitis were reported more frequently before XLA diagnosis while encephalitis was more commonly reported after diagnosis. Twenty patients had died (11.2%). The median age of death was 21 years (range = 3-56.7 years). Neurologic condition was the most common underlying co-morbidity for those XLA patients who died. CONCLUSIONS Current therapies for XLA patients reduce early mortality, but patients continue to experience complications that impact organ function. With improved life expectancy, more efforts will be required to improve post-diagnosis organ dysfunction and quality of life. Neurologic manifestations are an important co-morbidity associated with mortality and not yet clearly fully understood.
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Anderson W, Barahmand-pour-Whitman F, Linsley PS, Cerosaletti K, Buckner JH, Rawlings DJ. PTPN22 R620W gene editing in T cells enhances low-avidity TCR responses. eLife 2023; 12:e81577. [PMID: 36961507 PMCID: PMC10065793 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A genetic variant in the gene PTPN22 (R620W, rs2476601) is strongly associated with increased risk for multiple autoimmune diseases and linked to altered TCR regulation and T cell activation. Here, we utilize Crispr/Cas9 gene editing with donor DNA repair templates in human cord blood-derived, naive T cells to generate PTPN22 risk edited (620W), non-risk edited (620R), or knockout T cells from the same donor. PTPN22 risk edited cells exhibited increased activation marker expression following non-specific TCR engagement, findings that mimicked PTPN22 KO cells. Next, using lentiviral delivery of T1D patient-derived TCRs against the pancreatic autoantigen, islet-specific glucose-6 phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP), we demonstrate that loss of PTPN22 function led to enhanced signaling in T cells expressing a lower avidity self-reactive TCR, but not a high-avidity TCR. In this setting, loss of PTPN22 mediated enhanced proliferation and Th1 skewing. Importantly, expression of the risk variant in association with a lower avidity TCR also increased proliferation relative to PTPN22 non-risk T cells. Together, these findings suggest that, in primary human T cells, PTPN22 rs2476601 contributes to autoimmunity risk by permitting increased TCR signaling and activation in mildly self-reactive T cells, thereby potentially expanding the self-reactive T cell pool and skewing this population toward an inflammatory phenotype.
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Vamva E, Ozog S, Leaman DP, Yu-Hong Cheng R, Irons NJ, Ott A, Stoffers C, Khan I, Goebrecht GK, Gardner MR, Farzan M, Rawlings DJ, Zwick MB, James RG, Torbett BE. A lentiviral vector B cell gene therapy platform for the delivery of the anti-HIV-1 eCD4-Ig-knob-in-hole-reversed immunoadhesin. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:366-384. [PMID: 36879849 PMCID: PMC9984920 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Barriers to effective gene therapy for many diseases include the number of modified target cells required to achieve therapeutic outcomes and host immune responses to expressed therapeutic proteins. As long-lived cells specialized for protein secretion, antibody-secreting B cells are an attractive target for foreign protein expression in blood and tissue. To neutralize HIV-1, we developed a lentiviral vector (LV) gene therapy platform for delivery of the anti-HIV-1 immunoadhesin, eCD4-Ig, to B cells. The EμB29 enhancer/promoter in the LV limited gene expression in non-B cell lineages. By engineering a knob-in-hole-reversed (KiHR) modification in the CH3-Fc eCD4-Ig domain, we reduced interactions between eCD4-Ig and endogenous B cell immunoglobulin G proteins, which improved HIV-1 neutralization potency. Unlike previous approaches in non-lymphoid cells, eCD4-Ig-KiHR produced in B cells promoted HIV-1 neutralizing protection without requiring exogenous TPST2, a tyrosine sulfation enzyme required for eCD4-Ig-KiHR function. This finding indicated that B cell machinery is well suited to produce therapeutic proteins. Lastly, to overcome the inefficient transduction efficiency associated with VSV-G LV delivery to primary B cells, an optimized measles pseudotyped LV packaging methodology achieved up to 75% transduction efficiency. Overall, our findings support the utility of B cell gene therapy platforms for therapeutic protein delivery.
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Spalinger MR, Kasper S, Gottier C, Lang S, Atrott K, Vavricka SR, Scharl S, Gutte PM, Grütter MG, Beer HD, Contassot E, Chan AC, Dai X, Rawlings DJ, Mair F, Becher B, Falk W, Fried M, Rogler G, Scharl M. NLRP3 tyrosine phosphorylation is controlled by protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:169304. [PMID: 36787260 PMCID: PMC9927928 DOI: 10.1172/jci169304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
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Hao L, Hsiang TY, Dalmat RR, Ireton R, Morton JF, Stokes C, Netland J, Hale M, Thouvenel C, Wald A, Franko NM, Huden K, Chu HY, Sigal A, Greninger AL, Tilles S, Barrett LK, Van Voorhis WC, Munt J, Scobey T, Baric RS, Rawlings DJ, Pepper M, Drain PK, Gale M. Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 VOC Neutralization and Novel mAb Reveal Protection against Omicron. Viruses 2023; 15:530. [PMID: 36851745 PMCID: PMC9965505 DOI: 10.3390/v15020530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
New variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge and evade immunity. We isolated SARS-CoV-2 temporally across the pandemic starting with the first emergence of the virus in the western hemisphere and evaluated the immune escape among variants. A clinic-to-lab viral isolation and characterization pipeline was established to rapidly isolate, sequence, and characterize SARS-CoV-2 variants. A virus neutralization assay was applied to quantitate humoral immunity from infection and/or vaccination. A panel of novel monoclonal antibodies was evaluated for antiviral efficacy. We directly compared all variants, showing that convalescence greater than 5 months post-symptom onset from ancestral virus provides little protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Vaccination enhances immunity against viral variants, except for Omicron BA.1, while a three-dose vaccine regimen provides over 50-fold enhanced protection against Omicron BA.1 compared to a two-dose. A novel Mab neutralizes Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants better than the clinically approved Mabs, although neither can neutralize Omicron BA.4 or BA.5. Thus, the need remains for continued vaccination-booster efforts, with innovation for vaccine and Mab improvement for broadly neutralizing activity. The usefulness of specific Mab applications links with the window of clinical opportunity when a cognate viral variant is present in the infected population.
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McDonald CL, Qasba P, Anderson DG, Bao G, Colvin RA, Kohn DB, Malik P, Mitchell MJ, Pu WT, Rawlings DJ, Williams DA, Flotte TR. Future Directions and Resource Needs for National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Gene Therapy Research: A Report of an NHLBI Workshop. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:83-89. [PMID: 36794978 PMCID: PMC10081695 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.29233.tga] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
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Cheng RYH, Hung KL, Zhang T, Stoffers CM, Ott AR, Suchland ER, Camp ND, Khan IF, Singh S, Yang YJ, Rawlings DJ, James RG. Ex vivo engineered human plasma cells exhibit robust protein secretion and long-term engraftment in vivo. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6110. [PMID: 36245034 PMCID: PMC9573882 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33787-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their unique longevity and capacity to secrete high levels of protein, plasma B cells have the potential to be used as a cell therapy for protein replacement. Here, we show that ex vivo engineered human plasma cells exhibit single-cell RNA profiles, scanning electron micrograph ultrastructural features, and in vivo homing capacity of long-lived plasma cells. After transferring human plasma cells to immunodeficient mice in the presence of the human cytokines BAFF and IL-6, we observe increases in retention of plasma cells in the bone marrow, with engraftment exceeding a year. The most profound in vivo effects of human IL-6 are observed within 20 days of transfer and could be explained by decreased apoptosis in newly differentiated plasma cells. Collectively, these results show that ex vivo engineered and differentiated human plasma cells have the potential for long-lived in vivo protein secretion, which can be modeled in small animals.
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Yang SJ, Singh AK, Drow T, Tappen T, Honaker Y, Barahmand-Pour-Whitman F, Linsley PS, Cerosaletti K, Mauk K, Xiang Y, Smith J, Mortensen E, Cook PJ, Sommer K, Khan I, Liggitt D, Rawlings DJ, Buckner JH. Pancreatic islet-specific engineered T regs exhibit robust antigen-specific and bystander immune suppression in type 1 diabetes models. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn1716. [PMID: 36197963 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn1716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is therapeutic in type 1 diabetes (T1D) mouse models. Tregs that are specific for pancreatic islets are more potent than polyclonal Tregs in preventing disease. However, the frequency of antigen-specific natural Tregs is extremely low, and ex vivo expansion may destabilize Tregs, leading to an effector phenotype. Here, we generated durable, antigen-specific engineered Tregs (EngTregs) from primary human CD4+ T cells by combining FOXP3 homology-directed repair editing and lentiviral T cell receptor (TCR) delivery. Using TCRs derived from clonally expanded CD4+ T cells isolated from patients with T1D, we generated islet-specific EngTregs that suppressed effector T cell (Teff) proliferation and cytokine production. EngTregs suppressed Teffs recognizing the same islet antigen in addition to bystander Teffs recognizing other islet antigens through production of soluble mediators and both direct and indirect mechanisms. Adoptively transferred murine islet-specific EngTregs homed to the pancreas and blocked diabetes triggered by islet-specific Teffs or diabetogenic polyclonal Teffs in recipient mice. These data demonstrate the potential of antigen-specific EngTregs as a targeted therapy for preventing T1D.
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Song J, Anderson W, Hu A, Obata-Ninomiya K, Ziegler SF, Rawlings DJ, Buckner JH. CBLBDeficiency in Human CD4 +T Cells Results in Resistance to T Regulatory Suppression through Multiple Mechanisms. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:1260-1271. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Woods J, Pemberton SE, Largent AD, Chiang K, Liggitt D, Oukka M, Rawlings DJ, Jackson SW. Cutting Edge: Systemic Autoimmunity in Murine STAT3 Gain-of-Function Syndrome Is Characterized by Effector T Cell Expansion in the Absence of Overt Regulatory T Cell Dysfunction. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1033-1038. [PMID: 35995509 PMCID: PMC9492649 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Germline gain-of-function mutations in the transcriptional factor STAT3 promote early-onset multisystemic autoimmunity. To investigate how increased STAT3 promotes systemic inflammation, we generated a transgenic knock-in strain expressing a pathogenic human mutation STAT3K392R within the endogenous murine locus. As predicted, STAT3K392R mice develop progressive lymphoid hyperplasia and systemic inflammation, mirroring the human disease. However, whereas the prevailing model holds that increased STAT3 activity drives human autoimmunity by dysregulating the balance between regulatory T cells and Th17 cell differentiation, we observed increased Th17 cells in the absence of major defects in regulatory T cell differentiation or function. In addition, STAT3K392R animals exhibited a prominent accumulation of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Together, these data provide new insights into this complex human genetic syndrome and highlight the diverse cellular mechanisms by which dysregulated STAT3 activity promotes breaks in immune tolerance.
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