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Wang Z, Zhang T, Anderson A, Lee V, Szymura S, Dong Z, Kuang B, Oh E, Liu J, Neelapu SS, Kwak L, Cha SC. Immortalized B Cells Transfected with mRNA of Antigen Fused to MITD (IBMAM): An Effective Tool for Antigen-Specific T-Cell Expansion and TCR Validation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030796. [PMID: 36979775 PMCID: PMC10045729 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) are the most widely used study materials for immunomonitoring and antigen-specific T-cell identification. However, limited patient PBMCs and low-frequency antigen-specific T cells remain as significant technical challenges. To address these limitations, we established a novel platform comprised of optimized HLA-matched immortalized B cells transfected with mRNA of a prototype viral or tumor antigen conjugated to MHC class-I trafficking domain protein (MITD) to increase the efficiency of epitope expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) essential to expanding antigen-specific T cells. When applied to CMV as a model, the IBMAM platform could successfully expand CMV-specific T cells from low-frequency CMV PBMCs from seropositive donors. Additionally, this platform can be applied to the validation of antigen specific TCRs. Together, compared to using APCs with synthesized peptides, this platform is an unlimited, highly efficient, and cost-effective resource in detecting and expanding antigen-specific T cells and validating antigen-specific TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Aaron Anderson
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vincent Lee
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Szymon Szymura
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhenyuan Dong
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Benjamin Kuang
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Elizabeth Oh
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jingwei Liu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sattva S. Neelapu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Larry Kwak
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Soung-chul Cha
- Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence:
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Dasari V, Beckett K, Horsefield S, Ambalathingal G, Khanna R. A bivalent CMV vaccine formulated with human compatible TLR9 agonist CpG1018 elicits potent cellular and humoral immunity in HLA expressing mice. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010403. [PMID: 35737741 PMCID: PMC9223316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is now convincing evidence that the successful development of an effective CMV vaccine will require improved formulation and adjuvant selection that is capable of inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses. Here, we have designed a novel bivalent subunit vaccine formulation based on CMV-encoded oligomeric glycoprotein B (gB) and polyepitope protein in combination with human compatible TLR9 agonist CpG1018. The polyepitope protein includes multiple minimal HLA class I-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes from different antigens of CMV. This subunit vaccine generated durable anti-viral antibodies, CMV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in multiple HLA expressing mice. Antibody responses included broad TH1 isotypes (IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3) and potently neutralized CMV infection in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Furthermore, polyfunctional antigen-specific T cell immunity and antiviral antibody responses showed long-term memory maintenance. These observations argue that this novel vaccine strategy, if applied to humans, could facilitate the generation of robust humoral and cellular immune responses which may be more effective in preventing CMV-associated complications in various clinical settings. Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant human pathogen. Generally, in healthy people CMV causes mild symptomatic disease, but during pregnancy CMV can transmit from mother to foetus (1 out of every 200 live births worldwide) and lead to sensorineural hearing loss, vision impairment and central nervous system damage. In transplant patients, CMV can cause serious complications leading to organ rejection and even death. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available to prevent CMV-associated complications in pregnant women and transplant patients. Here, we have developed a novel bivalent CMV vaccine formulation consisting of recombinant CMVpoly and gB proteins in combination with human compatible adjuvant CpG1018. Preclinical immunogenicity evaluation in multiple HLA expressing mice demonstrated that bivalent CMV vaccine formulation consistently generated robust CMV-specific neutralising antibodies, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. More importantly, long-term follow-up analysis showed that the CMV vaccine can induce durable CMV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Our results support further development of this bivalent subunit CMV vaccine to test safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayendra Dasari
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (VD); (RK)
| | - Kirrilee Beckett
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shane Horsefield
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - George Ambalathingal
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development and Tumour Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (VD); (RK)
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3
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Dominant epitopes presented by prevalent HLA alleles permit wide use of banked CMVpp65 T-cells in adoptive therapy. Blood Adv 2022; 6:4859-4872. [PMID: 35605246 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We established and characterized a bank of 138 CMVpp65 peptide-specific T-cell lines (CMVpp65CTLs) from healthy marrow transplant donors who consented to their use for treatment of individuals other than their transplant recipient. CMVpp65CTL lines included 131 containing predominantly CD8+ T-cells and 7 CD4+ T-cell. CD8+ CMVpp65CTLs were specific for 1-3 epitopes each presented by one of only 34 of the 148 class I alleles in the bank. Similarly, the 7 predominantly CD4+ CMVpp65CTL lines were each specific for epitopes presented by 14 of 40 HLA DR alleles in the bank. Although the number of HLA alleles presenting CMV epitopes is low, their prevalence is high, permitting selection of CMVpp65CTLs restricted by an HLA allele shared by transplant recipient and HCT donor for >90% of an ethnogeographically diverse population of HCT recipients. Within individuals, responses to CMVpp65 peptides presented by different HLA alleles are hierarchical. Furthermore, within groups, epitopes presented by HLA B*07:02 and HLA A*02:01 consistently elicit immunodominant CMVpp65 CTLs, irrespective of other HLA alleles inherited. All dominant CMVpp65CTLs exhibited HLA-restricted cytotoxicity against epitope loaded targets, and usually cleared CMV infections. However, immunodominant CMVpp65 CTL responding to epitopes presented by certain HLA B*35 alleles were ineffective in lysing CMV infected cells in vitro or controlling CMV infections post adoptive therapy. Analysis of the hierarchy of T-cell responses to CMVpp65, the HLA alleles presenting immunodominant CMVpp65 epitopes, and the responses they induce, may lead to detailed algorithms for optimal choice of 3rd party CMVpp65CTLs for effective adoptive therapy.
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4
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In-depth summary over cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. Virusdisease 2021; 32:422-434. [PMID: 34631973 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-021-00728-w] [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: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we reviewed various aspects of cytomegalovirus infection, including pathophysiology, diagnosis methods, and antiviral treatments. Background: Infections continue to be a major reason of complications like high non-relapse morbidity and mortality rate after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cytomegalovirus is the most common infection in immunocompromised patients or those with graft-versus-host disease. The Latent-cytomegalovirus disease could increase the risk of reactivation in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients and lead to profound adverse effects on transplantation outcomes. Cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells reconstitution is crucial for protection against the virus reactivation. Different prophylactic, pre-emptive, and therapeutic anti-viral drugs are available to prevent cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation and treat resistant infections. Conclusion: Although there has been introduced various CMV antiviral treatment strategies like antiviral drugs, Vaccination, passive immunotherapies and adoptive transfer of CMV-specific T cells, further clinical trials are required to approve current therapies.
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Höttler A, März L, Lübke M, Rammensee HG, Stevanović S. Broad and Efficient Activation of Memory CD4 + T Cells by Novel HAdV- and HCMV-Derived Peptide Pools. Front Immunol 2021; 12:700438. [PMID: 34322126 PMCID: PMC8312486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.700438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivation of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Human Adenovirus (HAdV) in immunocompromised patients following stem cell transplantation (SCT) or solid organ transplantation (SOT) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The adoptive transfer of virus-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells has been shown to re-establish the antiviral T-cell response and improve clinical outcome. The viral load in immunocompromised patients can efficiently be reduced solely by the infusion of virus-specific CD4+ T cells. The identification of CD4+ T-cell epitopes has mainly focused on a limited number of viral proteins that were characterized as immunodominant. Here, we used in silico prediction to determine promiscuous CD4+ T-cell epitopes from the entire proteomes of HCMV and HAdV. Immunogenicity testing with enzyme-linked immuno spot (ELISpot) assays and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) revealed numerous novel CD4+ T-cell epitopes derived from a broad spectrum of viral antigens. We identified 17 novel HCMV-derived and seven novel HAdV-derived CD4+ T-cell epitopes that were recognized by > 50% of the assessed peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples. The newly identified epitopes were pooled with previously published, retested epitopes to stimulate virus-specific memory T cells in PBMCs from numerous randomly selected blood donors. Our peptide pools induced strong IFNγ secretion in 46 out of 48 (HCMV) and 31 out of 31 (HAdV) PBMC cultures. In conclusion, we applied an efficient method to screen large viral proteomes for promiscuous CD4+ T-cell epitopes to improve the detection and isolation of virus-specific T cells in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Höttler
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Léo März
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maren Lübke
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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6
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Lehmann AA, Zhang T, Reche PA, Lehmann PV. Discordance Between the Predicted Versus the Actually Recognized CD8+ T Cell Epitopes of HCMV pp65 Antigen and Aleatory Epitope Dominance. Front Immunol 2021; 11:618428. [PMID: 33633736 PMCID: PMC7900545 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.618428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell immune monitoring aims at measuring the size and functions of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell populations, thereby providing insights into cell-mediated immunity operational in a test subject. The selection of peptides for ex vivo CD8+ T cell detection is critical because within a complex antigen exists a multitude of potential epitopes that can be presented by HLA class I molecules. Further complicating this task, there is HLA class I polygenism and polymorphism which predisposes CD8+ T cell responses towards individualized epitope recognition profiles. In this study, we compare the actual CD8+ T cell recognition of a well-characterized model antigen, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pp65 protein, with its anticipated epitope coverage. Due to the abundance of experimentally defined HLA-A*02:01-restricted pp65 epitopes, and because in silico epitope predictions are most advanced for HLA-A*02:01, we elected to focus on subjects expressing this allele. In each test subject, every possible CD8+ T cell epitope was systematically covered testing 553 individual peptides that walk the sequence of pp65 in steps of single amino acids. Highly individualized CD8+ T cell response profiles with aleatory epitope recognition patterns were observed. No correlation was found between epitopes' ranking on the prediction scale and their actual immune dominance. Collectively, these data suggest that accurate CD8+ T cell immune monitoring may necessitate reliance on agnostic mega peptide pools, or brute force mapping, rather than electing individual peptides as representative epitopes for tetramer and other multimer labeling of surface antigen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Lehmann
- Research and Development, Cellular Technology Ltd., Shaker Heights, OH, United States
| | - Ting Zhang
- Research and Development, Cellular Technology Ltd., Shaker Heights, OH, United States
| | - Pedro A. Reche
- Laboratorio de Inmunomedicina & Inmunoinformatica, Departamento de Immunologia & O2, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul V. Lehmann
- Research and Development, Cellular Technology Ltd., Shaker Heights, OH, United States
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7
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Lee MN, Meyerson M. Antigen identification for HLA class I- and HLA class II-restricted T cell receptors using cytokine-capturing antigen-presenting cells. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:6/55/eabf4001. [PMID: 33483338 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf4001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation to understanding the associations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and CD8+ and CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) genes with disease pathophysiology is the technological barrier of identifying which HLA molecules, epitopes, and TCRs form functional complexes. Here, we present a high-throughput epitope identification system that combines capture of T cell-secreted cytokines by barcoded antigen-presenting cells (APCs), cell sorting, and next-generation sequencing to identify class I- and class II-restricted epitopes starting from highly complex peptide-encoding oligonucleotide pools. We engineered APCs to express anti-cytokine antibodies, a library of DNA-encoded peptides, and multiple HLA class I or II molecules. We demonstrate that these engineered APCs link T cell activation-dependent cytokines with the DNA that encodes the presented peptide. We validated this technology by showing that we could select known targets of viral epitope-, neoepitope-, and autoimmune epitope-specific TCRs, starting from mixtures of peptide-encoding oligonucleotides. Then, starting from 10 TCRβ sequences that are found commonly in humans but lack known targets, we identified seven CD8+ or CD4+ TCR-targeted epitopes encoded by the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome. These included known epitopes, as well as a class I and a class II CMV epitope that have not been previously described. Thus, our cytokine capture-based assay makes use of a signal secreted by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and allows pooled screening of thousands of encoded peptides to enable epitope discovery for orphan TCRs. Our technology may enable identification of HLA-epitope-TCR complexes relevant to disease control, etiology, or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark N Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Matthew Meyerson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Departments of Genetics and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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8
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Lübke M, Spalt S, Kowalewski DJ, Zimmermann C, Bauersfeld L, Nelde A, Bichmann L, Marcu A, Peper JK, Kohlbacher O, Walz JS, Le-Trilling VTK, Hengel H, Rammensee HG, Stevanović S, Halenius A. Identification of HCMV-derived T cell epitopes in seropositive individuals through viral deletion models. J Exp Med 2020; 217:e20191164. [PMID: 31869419 PMCID: PMC7062530 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In healthy individuals, immune control of persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is effectively mediated by virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, identifying the repertoire of T cell specificities for HCMV is hampered by the immense protein coding capacity of this betaherpesvirus. Here, we present a novel approach that employs HCMV deletion mutant viruses lacking HLA class I immunoevasins and allows direct identification of naturally presented HCMV-derived HLA ligands by mass spectrometry. We identified 368 unique HCMV-derived HLA class I ligands representing an unexpectedly broad panel of 123 HCMV antigens. Functional characterization revealed memory T cell responses in seropositive individuals for a substantial proportion (28%) of these novel peptides. Multiple HCMV-directed specificities in the memory T cell pool of single individuals indicate that physiologic anti-HCMV T cell responses are directed against a broad range of antigens. Thus, the unbiased identification of naturally presented viral epitopes enabled a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the physiological repertoire of anti-HCMV T cell specificities in seropositive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Lübke
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Spalt
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Kowalewski
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cosima Zimmermann
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Liane Bauersfeld
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Leon Bichmann
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics and Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ana Marcu
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janet Kerstin Peper
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics and Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Quantitative Biology Center, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Biomolecular Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Translational Bioinformatics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S. Walz
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Hartmut Hengel
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Halenius
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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9
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Wahl A, De C, Abad Fernandez M, Lenarcic EM, Xu Y, Cockrell AS, Cleary RA, Johnson CE, Schramm NJ, Rank LM, Newsome IG, Vincent HA, Sanders W, Aguilera-Sandoval CR, Boone A, Hildebrand WH, Dayton PA, Baric RS, Pickles RJ, Braunstein M, Moorman NJ, Goonetilleke N, Victor Garcia J. Precision mouse models with expanded tropism for human pathogens. Nat Biotechnol 2019; 37:1163-1173. [PMID: 31451733 PMCID: PMC6776695 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-019-0225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation of current humanized mouse models is that they primarily enable the analysis of human-specific pathogens that infect hematopoietic cells. However, most human pathogens target other cell types, including epithelial, endothelial and mesenchymal cells. Here, we show that implantation of human lung tissue, which contains up to 40 cell types, including nonhematopoietic cells, into immunodeficient mice (lung-only mice) resulted in the development of a highly vascularized lung implant. We demonstrate that emerging and clinically relevant human pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Zika virus, respiratory syncytial virus and cytomegalovirus replicate in vivo in these lung implants. When incorporated into bone marrow/liver/thymus humanized mice, lung implants are repopulated with autologous human hematopoietic cells. We show robust antigen-specific humoral and T-cell responses following cytomegalovirus infection that control virus replication. Lung-only mice and bone marrow/liver/thymus-lung humanized mice substantially increase the number of human pathogens that can be studied in vivo, facilitating the in vivo testing of therapeutics. Implantation of lung tissue into humanized mice enables in vivo study of the human immune response to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Wahl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Chandrav De
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maria Abad Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Erik M Lenarcic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yinyan Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adam S Cockrell
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachel A Cleary
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Claire E Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Schramm
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura M Rank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Isabel G Newsome
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Heather A Vincent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wes Sanders
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christian R Aguilera-Sandoval
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,BD Life Sciences, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Allison Boone
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William H Hildebrand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Raymond J Pickles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Miriam Braunstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Moorman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nilu Goonetilleke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,UNC HIV Cure Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - J Victor Garcia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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10
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Ono T, Fujita Y, Matano T, Takahashi S, Morio T, Kawana-Tachikawa A. Characterization of In Vitro Expanded Virus-Specific T cells for Adoptive Immunotherapy against Virus Infection. Jpn J Infect Dis 2018; 71:122-128. [PMID: 29491233 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2017.500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of virus infections in immunocompromised hosts. Characterization of virus-specific T cells provides essential information about the curative mechanism of the treatment. In this study, we developed a T cell epitope mapping system for 718 overlapping peptides spanning 6 proteins of 3 viruses (pp65 and IE1 from cytomegalovirus; LMP1, EBNA1, and BZLF1 from Epstein-Barr virus; Penton from adenovirus). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 33 healthy Japanese donors were stimulated with these peptides and virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were expanded in vitro in the presence of interleukin (IL) 4 and IL7. A median of 13 (minimum-maximum, 2-46) peptides was recognized in the cohort. Both fresh and cryopreserved PBMCs were used for in vitro expansion. The expansion and breadth of T cell responses were not significantly different between the 2 PBMC sets. We assessed viral regions frequently recognized by T cells in a Japanese cohort that could become pivotal T cell targets for immunotherapy in Japan. We tested epitope prediction for CD8+ T cell responses against a common target region using a freely available online tool. Some epitopes were considered to be predictive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Ono
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Yuriko Fujita
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo.,Yokohama Municipal Citizen's Hospital
| | - Tetsuro Matano
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.,Department of AIDS Vaccine Development, IMSUT Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
| | - Tomohiro Morio
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Ai Kawana-Tachikawa
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases.,Department of AIDS Vaccine Development, IMSUT Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
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11
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Ameres S, Liang X, Wiesner M, Mautner J, Moosmann A. A Diverse Repertoire of CD4 T Cells Targets the Immediate-Early 1 Protein of Human Cytomegalovirus. Front Immunol 2015; 6:598. [PMID: 26635812 PMCID: PMC4658442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell responses to the immediate-early 1 (IE-1) protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are associated with protection from viral disease. Thus, IE-1 is a promising target for immunotherapy. CD8 T-cell responses to IE-1 are generally strong. In contrast, CD4 T-cell responses to IE-1 were described to be comparatively infrequent or undetectable in HCMV carriers, and information on their target epitopes and their function has been limited. To analyze the repertoire of IE-1-specific CD4 T cells, we expanded them from healthy donors with autologous IE-1-expressing mini-Epstein–Barr virus-transformed B-cell lines and established IE-1-specific CD4 T-cell clones. Clones from seven out of seven HCMV-positive donors recognized endogenously processed IE-1 epitopes restricted through HLA-DR, DQ, or DP. Three to seven IE-1 epitopes were recognized per donor. Cumulatively, about 27 different HLA/peptide class II complexes were recognized by 117 IE-1-specific clones. Our results suggest that a highly diversified repertoire of IE-1-specific CD4 T cells targeting multiple epitopes is usually present in healthy HCMV carriers. Therefore, multiepitope approaches to immunomonitoring and immunotherapy will make optimal use of this potentially important class of HCMV-specific effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Ameres
- Clinical Cooperation Group Immunooncology, Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany
| | - Xiaoling Liang
- Clinical Cooperation Group Immunooncology, Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Research Group Host Control of Viral Latency and Reactivation, Helmholtz Zentrum München , Munich , Germany ; German Research Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , Munich , Germany
| | - Martina Wiesner
- Clinical Cooperation Group Immunooncology, Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany
| | - Josef Mautner
- German Research Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , Munich , Germany ; Clinical Cooperation Group Pediatric Tumor Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany
| | - Andreas Moosmann
- Clinical Cooperation Group Immunooncology, Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Research Group Host Control of Viral Latency and Reactivation, Helmholtz Zentrum München , Munich , Germany ; German Research Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , Munich , Germany
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12
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Simon P, Omokoko TA, Breitkreuz A, Hebich L, Kreiter S, Attig S, Konur A, Britten CM, Paret C, Dhaene K, Türeci Ö, Sahin U. Functional TCR retrieval from single antigen-specific human T cells reveals multiple novel epitopes. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:1230-44. [PMID: 25245536 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The determination of the epitope specificity of disease-associated T-cell responses is relevant for the development of biomarkers and targeted immunotherapies against cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. The lack of known T-cell epitopes and corresponding T-cell receptors (TCR) for novel antigens hinders the efficient development and monitoring of new therapies. We developed an integrated approach for the systematic retrieval and functional characterization of TCRs from single antigen-reactive T cells that includes the identification of epitope specificity. This is accomplished through the rapid cloning of full-length TCR-α and TCR-β chains directly from single antigen-specific CD8(+) or CD4(+) T lymphocytes. The functional validation of cloned TCRs is conducted using in vitro-transcribed RNA transfer for expression of TCRs in T cells and HLA molecules in antigen-presenting cells. This method avoids the work and bias associated with repetitive cycles of in vitro T-cell stimulation, and enables fast characterization of antigen-specific T-cell responses. We applied this strategy to viral and tumor-associated antigens (TAA), resulting in the retrieval of 56 unique functional antigen-specific TCRs from human CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells (13 specific for CMV-pp65, 16 specific for the well-known TAA NY-ESO-1, and 27 for the novel TAA TPTE), which are directed against 39 different epitopes. The proof-of-concept studies with TAAs NY-ESO-1 and TPTE revealed multiple novel TCR specificities. Our approach enables the rational development of immunotherapy strategies by providing antigen-specific TCRs and immunogenic epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Simon
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Tana A Omokoko
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Andrea Breitkreuz
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Lisa Hebich
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreiter
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Sebastian Attig
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Abdo Konur
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Cedrik M Britten
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Claudia Paret
- Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany
| | - Karl Dhaene
- Department of Pathology, Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis Aalst, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Özlem Türeci
- Ganymed Pharmaceuticals AG, An der Goldgrube 12, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz gGmbH, Germany.
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13
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Ameres S, Besold K, Plachter B, Moosmann A. CD8 T cell-evasive functions of human cytomegalovirus display pervasive MHC allele specificity, complementarity, and cooperativity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:5894-905. [PMID: 24808364 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunoevasive proteins ("evasins") of human CMV (HCMV) modulate stability and localization of MHC class I (MHC I) molecules, and their supply of antigenic peptides. However, it is largely unknown to what extent these evasins interfere with recognition by virus-specific CD8 T cells. We analyzed the recognition of HCMV-infected cells by a panel of CD8 T cells restricted through one of nine different MHC I allotypes. We employed a set of HCMV mutants deleted for three or all four of the MHC I modulatory genes US2, US3, US6, and US11. We found that different HCMV evasins exhibited different allotype-specific patterns of interference with CD8 T cell recognition of infected cells. In contrast, recognition of different epitopes presented by the same given MHC I allotype was uniformly reduced. For some allotypes, single evasins largely abolished T cell recognition; for others, a concerted action of evasins was required to abrogate recognition. In infected cells whose Ag presentation efficiency had been enhanced by IFN-γ pretreatment, HCMV evasins cooperatively impared T cell recognition for several different MHC I allotypes. T cell recognition and MHC I surface expression under influence of evasins were only partially congruent, underscoring the necessity to probe HCMV immunomodulation using specific T cells. We conclude that the CD8 T cell evasins of HCMV display MHC I allotype specificity, complementarity, and cooperativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Ameres
- Klinische Kooperationsgruppe Immunonkologie, Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum der Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany; Abteilung Genvektoren, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81377 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, 81675 Munich, Germany; and
| | - Katrin Besold
- Institut für Virologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bodo Plachter
- Institut für Virologie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Moosmann
- Klinische Kooperationsgruppe Immunonkologie, Medizinische Klinik III, Klinikum der Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany; Abteilung Genvektoren, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81377 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, 81675 Munich, Germany; and
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14
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Braendstrup P, Mortensen BK, Justesen S, Østerby T, Rasmussen M, Hansen AM, Christiansen CB, Hansen MB, Nielsen M, Vindeløv L, Buus S, Stryhn A. Identification and HLA-tetramer-validation of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses against HCMV proteins IE1 and IE2. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94892. [PMID: 24760079 PMCID: PMC3997423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important human pathogen. It is a leading cause of congenital infection and a leading infectious threat to recipients of solid organ transplants as well as of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants. Moreover, it has recently been suggested that HCMV may promote tumor development. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses are important for long-term control of the virus, and adoptive transfer of HCMV-specific T cells has led to protection from reactivation and HCMV disease. Identification of HCMV-specific T cell epitopes has primarily focused on CD8+ T cell responses against the pp65 phosphoprotein. In this study, we have focused on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses against the immediate early 1 and 2 proteins (IE1 and IE2). Using overlapping peptides spanning the entire IE1 and IE2 sequences, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 16 healthy, HLA-typed, donors were screened by ex vivo IFN-γ ELISpot and in vitro intracellular cytokine secretion assays. The specificities of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were identified and validated by HLA class II and I tetramers, respectively. Eighty-one CD4+ and 44 CD8+ T cell responses were identified representing at least seven different CD4 epitopes and 14 CD8 epitopes restricted by seven and 11 different HLA class II and I molecules, respectively, in total covering 91 and 98% of the Caucasian population, respectively. Presented in the context of several different HLA class II molecules, two epitope areas in IE1 and IE2 were recognized in about half of the analyzed donors. These data may be used to design a versatile anti-HCMV vaccine and/or immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Braendstrup
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bo Kok Mortensen
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sune Justesen
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Østerby
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Rasmussen
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Martin Hansen
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Bohn Christiansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Bagge Hansen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Nielsen
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark and Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lars Vindeløv
- The Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Laboratory, Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Buus
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anette Stryhn
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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15
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Shedlock DJ, Talbott KT, Wu SJ, Wilson CM, Muthumani K, Boyer JD, Sardesai NY, Awasthi S, Weiner DB. Vaccination with synthetic constructs expressing cytomegalovirus immunogens is highly T cell immunogenic in mice. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2012; 8:1668-81. [PMID: 23151448 DOI: 10.4161/hv.22447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no licensed vaccine or cure for human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous β-herpesvirus infecting 60-95% of adults worldwide. Infection can cause congenital abnormalities, result in severe disease in immunocompromised patients, and is a major impediment during successful organ transplantation. In addition, it has been associated with numerous inflammatory diseases and cancers, as well as being implicated in the development of essential hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease. To date, limited data regarding the identification of immunogenic viral targets has frustrated CMV vaccine development. Based upon promising clinical data suggesting an important role for T cells in protecting against disease in the transplantation setting, we designed a novel panel of highly-optimized synthetic vaccines encoding major CMV proteins and evaluated their immune potential in murine studies. Vaccination induced robust CD8+ and CD4+ T cells of great epitopic breadth as extensively analyzed using a novel modified T cell assay described herein. Together with improved levels of CMV-specific T cells as driven by a vaccine, further immune evaluation of each target is warranted. The present model provides an important tool for guiding future immunization strategies against CMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon J Shedlock
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
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16
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Provenzano M, Sais G, Bracci L, Egli A, Anselmi M, Viehl CT, Schaub S, Hirsch HH, Stroncek DF, Marincola FM, Spagnoli GC. A HCMV pp65 polypeptide promotes the expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells across a wide range of HLA specificities. J Cell Mol Med 2010; 13:2131-2147. [PMID: 19604317 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00531.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause life-threatening disease in infected hosts. Immunization with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted immunodominant synthetic peptides and adoptive transfer of epitope-specific T cells have been envisaged to generate or boost HCMV-specific cellular immunity, thereby preventing HCMV infection or reactivation. However, induction or expansion of T cells effective against HCMV are limited by the need of utilizing peptides with defined HLA restrictions. We took advantage of a combination of seven predictive algorithms to identify immunogenic peptides of potential use in the prevention or treatment of HCMV infection or reactivation. Here we describe a pp65-derived peptide (pp65(340-355), RQYDPVAALFFFDIDL: RQY16-mer), characterized by peculiar features. First, RQY-16mer is able to stimulate HCMV pp65 specific responses in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, restricted by a wide range of HLA class I and II determinants. Second, RQY-16mer is able to induce an unusually wide range of effector functions in CD4(+) T cells, including proliferation, killing of autologous HCMV-infected target cells and cytokine production. Third, and most importantly, the RQY-16mer is able to stimulate CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses in pharmacologically immunosuppressed patients. These data suggest that a single reagent might qualify as synthetic immunogen for potentially large populations exposed to HCMV infection or reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Provenzano
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Sais
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Bracci
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Egli
- Transplantation Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Anselmi
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carsten T Viehl
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schaub
- Department of Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans H Hirsch
- Transplantation Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - David F Stroncek
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Immunogenetic Section, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Francesco M Marincola
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Immunogenetic Section, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Giulio C Spagnoli
- Institute of Surgical Research and Hospital Management, and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Jagannathan P, Osborne CM, Royce C, Manion MM, Tilton JC, Li L, Fischer S, Hallahan CW, Metcalf JA, McLaughlin M, Pipeling M, McDyer JF, Manley TJ, Meier JL, Altman JD, Hertel L, Davey RT, Connors M, Migueles SA. Comparisons of CD8+ T cells specific for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and cytomegalovirus reveal differences in frequency, immunodominance, phenotype, and interleukin-2 responsiveness. J Virol 2009; 83:2728-42. [PMID: 19129459 PMCID: PMC2648273 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02128-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand the components of an effective immune response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the CD8(+) T-cell responses to HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were compared with regard to frequency, immunodominance, phenotype, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) responsiveness. Responses were examined in rare patients exhibiting durable immune-mediated control over HIV, termed long-term nonprogressors (LTNP) or elite controllers, and patients with progressive HIV infection (progressors). The magnitude of the virus-specific CD8(+) T-cell response targeting HIV, CMV, and HCV was not significantly different between LTNP and progressors, even though their capacity to proliferate to HIV antigens was preserved only in LTNP. In contrast to HIV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses of LTNP, HLA B5701-restricted responses within CMV pp65 were rare and did not dominate the total CMV-specific response. Virus-specific CD8(+) T cells were predominantly CD27(+)45RO(+) for HIV and CD27(-)45RA(+) for CMV; however, these phenotypes were highly variable and heavily influenced by the degree of viremia. Although IL-2 induced significant expansions of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells in LTNP and progressors by increasing both the numbers of cells entering the proliferating pool and the number of divisions, the proliferative capacity of a significant proportion of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells was not restored with exogenous IL-2. These results suggest that immunodominance by HLA B5701-restricted cells is specific to HIV infection in LTNP and is not a feature of responses to other chronic viral infections. They also suggest that poor responsiveness to IL-2 is a property of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells of progressors that is not shared with responses to other viruses over which immunologic control is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Jagannathan
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1876, USA
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18
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Ulivieri C, Citro A, Ivaldi F, Mascolo D, Ghittoni R, Fanigliulo D, Manca F, Baldari CT, Li Pira G, Del Pozzo G. Antigenic properties of HCMV peptides displayed by filamentous bacteriophages vs. synthetic peptides. Immunol Lett 2008; 119:62-70. [PMID: 18538862 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2008] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Several efforts have been invested in the identification of CTL and Th epitopes, as well as in the characterization of their immunodominance and MHC restriction, for the generation of a peptide-based HCMV vaccine. Small synthetic peptides are, however, poor antigens and carrier proteins are important for improving the efficacy of synthetic peptide vaccines. Recombinant bacteriophages appear as promising tools in the design of subunit vaccines. To investigate the antigenicity of peptides carried by recombinant bacteriophages we displayed different HCMV MHCII restricted peptides on the capsid of filamentous bacteriophage (fd) and found that hybrid bacteriophages are processed by human APC and activate HCMV-specific CD4 T-cells. Furthermore we constructed a reporter T-cell hybridoma expressing a chimeric TCR comprising murine alphabeta constant regions and human variable regions specific for the HLA-A2 restricted immunodominant NLV peptide of HCMV. Using the filamentous bacteriophage as an epitope carrier, we detected a more robust and long lasting response of the reporter T-cell hybridoma compared to peptide stimulation. Our results show a general enhancement of T-cell responses when antigenic peptides are carried by phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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19
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Dander E, Pira GL, Biagi E, Perseghin P, Renoldi G, Gaipa G, Introna M, Marin V, Manca F, Biondi A, D'Amico G. Characterization of migratory activity and cytokine profile of helper and cytotoxic CMV-specific T-cell lines expanded by a selective peptide library. Exp Hematol 2008; 36:473-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2007.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2007] [Revised: 12/04/2007] [Accepted: 12/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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20
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Rudolf D, Silberzahn T, Walter S, Maurer D, Engelhard J, Wernet D, Bühring HJ, Jung G, Kwon BS, Rammensee HG, Stevanović S. Potent costimulation of human CD8 T cells by anti-4-1BB and anti-CD28 on synthetic artificial antigen presenting cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2008; 57:175-83. [PMID: 17657490 PMCID: PMC11030657 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-007-0360-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2006] [Accepted: 06/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The in vitro generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) for anticancer immunotherapy is a promising approach to take patient-specific therapy from the bench to the bedside. Two criteria must be met by protocols for the expansion of CTLs: high yield of functional cells and suitability for good manufacturing practice (GMP). The antigen presenting cells (APCs) used to expand the CTLs are the key to achieving both targets but they pose a challenge: Unspecific stimulation is not feasible because only memory T cells are expanded and not rare naïve CTL precursors; in addition, antigen-specific stimulation by cell-based APCs is cumbersome and problematic in a clinical setting. However, synthetic artificial APCs which can be loaded reproducibly with MHC-peptide monomers and antibodies specific for costimulatory molecules could resolve these problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of complex synthetic artificial APCs in triggering the costimulatory molecules CD28 and 4-1BB on the T cell. Anti-4-1BB antibodies were added to an established system of microbeads coated with MHC-peptide monomers and anti-CD28. Triggering via CD28 and 4-1BB resulted in strong costimulatory synergy. The quantitative ratio between these signals determined the outcome of the stimulation with optimal results when anti-4-1BB and anti-CD28 were applied in a 3:1 ratio. Functional CTLs of an effector memory subtype (CD45RA(-) CCR7(-)) were generated in high numbers. We present a highly defined APC platform using off-the-shelf reagents for the convenient generation of large numbers of antigen-specific CTLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Rudolf
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Silberzahn
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Steffen Walter
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Maurer
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johanna Engelhard
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Wernet
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Bühring
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Byoung S. Kwon
- The Immunomodulation Research Center, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
- LSU Eye Center, 2020 Gravier Street Suite B, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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21
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Dengjel J, Nastke MD, Gouttefangeas C, Gitsioudis G, Schoor O, Altenberend F, Müller M, Krämer B, Missiou A, Sauter M, Hennenlotter J, Wernet D, Stenzl A, Rammensee HG, Klingel K, Stevanović S. Unexpected abundance of HLA class II presented peptides in primary renal cell carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 12:4163-70. [PMID: 16857787 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To elicit a long-lasting antitumor immune response, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells should be activated. We attempted to isolate HLA-DR-presented peptides directly from dissected solid tumors, in particular from renal cell carcinoma, to identify MHC class II ligands from tumor-associated antigens (TAA) for their use in peptide-based immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Tumor specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for their HLA class II expression. HLA class II peptides were subsequently isolated and identified by mass spectrometry. Gene expression analysis was done to detect genes overexpressed in tumor tissue. Peptides from identified TAAs were used to induce peptide-specific CD4+ T-cell responses in healthy donors and in tumor patients. RESULTS In the absence of inflammation, expression of MHC class II molecules is mainly restricted to cells of the immune system. To our surprise, we were able to isolate and characterize hundreds of class II peptides directly from primary dissected solid tumors, especially from renal cell carcinomas, and from colorectal carcinomas and transitional cell carcinomas. Infiltrating leukocytes expressed MHC class II molecules and tumor cells, very likely under the influence of IFNgamma. Our list of identified peptides contains ligands from several TAAs, including insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 and matrix metalloproteinase 7. The latter bound promiscuously to HLA-DR molecules and were able to elicit CD4+ T-cell responses. CONCLUSIONS Thus, our direct approach will rapidly expand the limited number of T-helper epitopes from TAAs for their use in clinical vaccination protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Dengjel
- Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH, University of Tübingen, Germany
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22
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Li Pira G, Bottone L, Ivaldi F, Pelizzoli R, Risso M, Tripodi G, Manca F. A sealed and unbreached system for purification, stimulation, and expansion of cytomegalovirus-specific human CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. Transfusion 2006; 46:2053-62. [PMID: 17176316 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2006.00977.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy with virus-specific lymphocytes in patients with defective cellular immune responses. Immunoreconstitution has become a challenge for cellular immunology and for transfusion medicine. In fact, both expertises are required to provide effective and safe cellular products. Because of in vitro manipulation, T-lymphocyte cultures are at risk of contamination even under good manufacturing procedure (GMP) conditions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS To further improve the quality of these GMP cellular products, a procedure was designed for purification, stimulation, and expansion of antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes in a sealed, unbreached system. Leukopacks from the blood bank that fulfill the requirements of a GMP product were the starting material. Gradient separation and washing were performed in bags with sterile connecting devices on the bench-top, as well as addition of ingredients (antigen, interleukin-2) or transfer to larger bags. RESULTS The method is described in detail, and it is shown that increase in number of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 or CD8 T-lymphocytes was similar to procedures based on open culture systems. Cell expansion after 4 weeks ranged from 800- to 2400-fold for CD4 lymphocytes and 300- to 900-fold for CD8 lymphocytes. Antigen specificity and loss of alloreactivity were demonstrated on the expanded cells with proliferation, intracytoplasmic interferon gamma-gamma staining, cytolytic activity, and pentamer binding. CONCLUSION This procedure can be applied to improve sterility under GMP conditions when T-cell lines are generated for adoptive immunotherapy and may increase biosafety for the staff when cell lines are generated from subjects infected with dangerous pathogens.
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23
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Vasto S, Malavolta M, Pawelec G. Age and immunity. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2006; 3:2. [PMID: 16504129 PMCID: PMC1402324 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-3-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2006] [Accepted: 02/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Longitudinal studies are defining progressive alterations to the immune system associated with increased mortality in the very elderly. Many of these changes are exacerbated by or even caused by chronic T cell stimulation by persistent antigen, particularly from Cytomegalovirus. The composition of T cell subsets, their functional integrity and representation in the repertoire are all markedly influenced by age and by CMV. How these findings relate to epidemiological, functional, genetic, genomic and proteomic studies of human T cell immunosenescence was the subject of intense debate at an international conference held just before Christmas 2005 in the Black Forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Vasto
- Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, Università di Palermo, Italia
| | - Marco Malavolta
- Immunology Ctr.(Sect.: Nutrition, Immunity and Ageing)Res. Dept. INRCA, Ancona Italia
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Center for Medical Research, University of Tübingen, D-72072 Tübingen, Germany
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24
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Burrows SR, Rossjohn J, McCluskey J. Have we cut ourselves too short in mapping CTL epitopes? Trends Immunol 2005; 27:11-6. [PMID: 16297661 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2005.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2005] [Revised: 10/18/2005] [Accepted: 11/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
MHC class I molecules generally present peptides of eight to ten amino acids; however, peptides of 11-14 residues can also elicit dominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, sometimes at the expense of overlapping shorter peptides. Although long-bulged epitopes are considered to represent a barrier for T cell receptor recognition, recent structural data reveal how these super-bulged peptides are engaged while simultaneously maintaining MHC restriction. We propose that algorithms widely used to predict class I-binding peptides should now be broadened to include peptides of over ten residues in length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Burrows
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia.
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25
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Chalandon Y, Degermann S, Villard J, Arlettaz L, Kaiser L, Vischer S, Walter S, Heemskerk MHM, van Lier RAW, Helg C, Chapuis B, Roosnek E. Pretransplantation CMV-specific T cells protect recipients of T-cell-depleted grafts against CMV-related complications. Blood 2005; 107:389-96. [PMID: 16174767 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-07-2746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have studied cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunity in 17 CMV-positive recipients of T-cell-depleted or T-cell-replete grafts. In recipients of T-cell-replete grafts, the patient's CMV-specific T-cell response was completely ablated. Because primary anti-CMV responses were rare during the first year, immunity depended essentially on the transfer of donor CMV-specific T cells and, therefore, on the CMV positivity of the donor. In the recipients of T-cell-depleted grafts, CMV-specific cytotoxic T cells were of recipient origin in 2 patients who underwent transplantation with CMV-negative donors and in 3 of 8 patients who underwent transplantation with CMV-positive donors, and they were of mixed or donor origin in the other 5 patients studied. Recipient CMV-specific T cells responded vigorously to antigen ex vivo and persisted for several years without replenishment by donor cells. Furthermore, they appeared to have a protective effect because CMV-related complications were absent in the patients with CMV-specific T cells of recipient origin. Clinical outcomes of a cohort of 91 patients corroborated the experimental results. Patients with recipient T cells in their blood were protected regardless of the donor immune status. Hence, when a T-cell depletion protocol is used that favors the survival of recipient T cells, the patient's pretransplantation CMV-specific immunity protects against posttransplantation CMV-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Chalandon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Geneva, Switzerland
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