1
|
Gupta SK, Gohil D, Momin MB, Yadav S, Chichra A, Punatar S, Gokarn A, Mirgh S, Jindal N, Nayak L, Hingorani L, Khattry N, Gota V. Withania Somnifera Extract Mitigates Experimental Acute Graft versus Host Disease Without Abrogating Graft Versus Leukemia Effect. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241226573. [PMID: 38258793 PMCID: PMC10807391 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241226573] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) is the major contributor of nonrelapse mortality in alloHSCT. It is associated with an inflammatory immune response manifesting as cytokine storm with ensuing damage to target organs such as liver, gut, and skin. Prevention of aGvHD while retaining the beneficial graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect remains a major challenge. Withania somnifera extract (WSE) is known for its anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and anticancer properties, which are appealing in the context of aGvHD. Herein, we demonstrated that prophylactic and therapeutic use of WSE in experimental model of alloHSCT mitigates aGvHD-associated morbidity and mortality. In the prophylaxis study, a dose of 75 mg/kg of WSE offered greatest protection against death due to aGvHD (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.15 [0.03-0.68], P ≤ .01), whereas 250 mg/kg was most effective for the treatment of aGvHD (HR = 0.16 [0.05-0.5], P ≤ .01). WSE treatment protected liver, gut, and skin from damage by inhibiting cytokine storm and lymphocytic infiltration to aGvHD target organs. In addition, WSE did not compromise the GvL effect, as alloHSCT with or without WSE did not allow the leukemic A20 cells to grow. In fact, WSE showed marginal antileukemic effect in vivo. WSE is currently under clinical investigation for the prevention and treatment of aGvHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Dievya Gohil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Mohd Bashar Momin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Subhash Yadav
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Akanksha Chichra
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Sachin Punatar
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Anant Gokarn
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Sumeet Mirgh
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Nishant Jindal
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Lingaraj Nayak
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | | | - Navin Khattry
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
- Department of Medical Oncology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Vikram Gota
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumar Gupta S, Gohil D, Dutta D, Panigrahi GC, Gupta P, Dalvi K, Khanka T, Yadav S, Kumar Kaushal R, Chichra A, Punatar S, Gokarn A, Mirgh S, Jindal N, Nayak L, Tembhare PR, Khizer Hasan S, Kumar Sandur S, Hingorani L, Khattry N, Gota V. Withaferin-A alleviates acute graft versus host disease without compromising graft versus leukemia effect. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110437. [PMID: 37311352 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) contributes to a significant proportion of non-relapse mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Withaferin-A (WA), a phytomolecule obtained from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory properties. The efficacy of WA for the prevention and treatment of aGvHD was evaluated using a murine model of alloHSCT. Prophylactic administration of WA to mice mitigated the clinical symptoms of aGvHD and improved survival significantly compared to the GvHD control [HR = 0.07 (0.01-0.35); P < 0.001]. Furthermore, WA group had better overall survival compared to standard prophylactic regimen of CSA + MTX [HR = 0.19 (0.03-1.1), P < 0.05]. At the same time, WA did not compromise the beneficial GvL effect. In addition, WA administered to animals after the onset of aGvHD could reverse the clinical severity and improved survival, thus establishing its therapeutic potential. Our findings suggest that WA reduced the systemic levels of Th1, Th2 and Th17 inflammatory cytokine and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels significantly (P < 0.05). WA also inhibited lymphocytes migration to gut, liver, skin and lung and protected these organs from damage. Ex-vivo, WA inhibited proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs), modulated immune cell phenotype and decreased cytokine release. In addition, WA inhibited pJAK2 and pSTAT3 protein levels in mouse splenocytes and hPBMCs. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the utility of WA for the prevention and treatment of aGvHD, which should be further evaluated in a clinical setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Kumar Gupta
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dievya Gohil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Deepshikha Dutta
- Cell and Tumor Biology Group, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Girish Ch Panigrahi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Puja Gupta
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kajal Dalvi
- Hematopathology Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
| | - Twinkle Khanka
- Hematopathology Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
| | - Subhash Yadav
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar Kaushal
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Akanksha Chichra
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sachin Punatar
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anant Gokarn
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sumeet Mirgh
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Nishant Jindal
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Lingaraj Nayak
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Prashant R Tembhare
- Hematopathology Laboratory, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Syed Khizer Hasan
- Cell and Tumor Biology Group, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Sandur
- Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400094, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Lal Hingorani
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand 388435, Gujarat, India
| | - Navin Khattry
- Department of Medical Oncology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vikram Gota
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mammadli M, Suo L, Sen JM, Karimi M. TCF-1 Is Required for CD4 T Cell Persistence Functions during AlloImmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054326. [PMID: 36901757 PMCID: PMC10002223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054326] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor T cell factor-1 (TCF-1) is encoded by Tcf7 and plays a significant role in regulating immune responses to cancer and pathogens. TCF-1 plays a central role in CD4 T cell development; however, the biological function of TCF-1 on mature peripheral CD4 T cell-mediated alloimmunity is currently unknown. This report reveals that TCF-1 is critical for mature CD4 T cell stemness and their persistence functions. Our data show that mature CD4 T cells from TCF-1 cKO mice did not cause graft versus host disease (GvHD) during allogeneic CD4 T cell transplantation, and donor CD4 T cells did not cause GvHD damage to target organs. For the first time, we showed that TCF-1 regulates CD4 T cell stemness by regulating CD28 expression, which is required for CD4 stemness. Our data showed that TCF-1 regulates CD4 effector and central memory formation. For the first time, we provide evidence that TCF-1 differentially regulates key chemokine and cytokine receptors critical for CD4 T cell migration and inflammation during alloimmunity. Our transcriptomic data uncovered that TCF-1 regulates critical pathways during normal state and alloimmunity. Knowledge acquired from these discoveries will enable us to develop a target-specific approach for treating CD4 T cell-mediated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahinbanu Mammadli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Liye Suo
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Jyoti Misra Sen
- National Institute on Aging-National Institute of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Center of Aging and Immune Remodeling and Immunology Program, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Mobin Karimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 315-464-2344
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harris R, Mammadli M, Hiner S, Suo L, Yang Q, Sen JM, Karimi M. TCF-1 regulates NKG2D expression on CD8 T cells during anti-tumor responses. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1581-1601. [PMID: 36562825 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03323-0] [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: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy relies on improving T cell effector functions against malignancies, but despite the identification of several key transcription factors (TFs), the biological functions of these TFs are not entirely understood. We developed and utilized a novel, clinically relevant murine model to dissect the functional properties of crucial T cell transcription factors during anti-tumor responses. Our data showed that the loss of TCF-1 in CD8 T cells also leads to loss of key stimulatory molecules such as CD28. Our data showed that TCF-1 suppresses surface NKG2D expression on naïve and activated CD8 T cells via key transcriptional factors Eomes and T-bet. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, we uncovered how TCF-1 regulates critical molecules responsible for peripheral CD8 T cell effector functions. Finally, our unique genetic and molecular approaches suggested that TCF-1 also differentially regulates essential kinases. These kinases, including LCK, LAT, ITK, PLC-γ1, P65, ERKI/II, and JAK/STATs, are required for peripheral CD8 T cell persistent function during alloimmunity. Overall, our molecular and bioinformatics data demonstrate the mechanism by which TCF-1 modulated several critical aspects of T cell function during CD8 T cell response to cancer. Summary Figure: TCF-1 is required for persistent function of CD8 T cells but dispensable for anti-tumor response. Here, we have utilized a novel mouse model that lacks TCF-1 specifically on CD8 T cells for an allogeneic transplant model. We uncovered a molecular mechanism of how TCF-1 regulates key signaling pathways at both transcriptomic and protein levels. These key molecules included LCK, LAT, ITK, PLC-γ1, p65, ERK I/II, and JAK/STAT signaling. Next, we showed that the lack of TCF-1 impacted phenotype, proinflammatory cytokine production, chemokine expression, and T cell activation. We provided clinical evidence for how these changes impact GVHD target organs (skin, small intestine, and liver). Finally, we provided evidence that TCF-1 regulates NKG2D expression on mouse naïve and activated CD8 T cells. We have shown that CD8 T cells from TCF-1 cKO mice mediate cytolytic functions via NKG2D.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Ave Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Mahinbanu Mammadli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Ave Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Shannon Hiner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Ave Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Liye Suo
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Rutgers Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Jyoti Misra Sen
- National Institute On Aging-National Institutes of Health, BRC Building, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.,Center On Aging and Immune Remodeling and Immunology Program, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Mobin Karimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Ave Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mammadli M, Harris R, Suo L, May A, Gentile T, Waickman AT, Bah A, August A, Nurmemmedov E, Karimi M. Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (Itk) signaling regulates potent noncanonical regulatory T cells. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e625. [PMID: 34919342 PMCID: PMC8679839 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in controlling autoimmunity and limiting tissue damage and inflammation. IL2-inducible T cell kinase (Itk) is part of the Tec family of tyrosine kinases and is a critical component of T cell receptor mediated signaling. Here, we showed that either genetic ablation of Itk signaling or inhibition of Itk signaling pathways resulted in increased frequency of "noncanonical" CD4+ CD25- FOXP3+ Tregs (ncTregs), as well as of "canonical" CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ Tregs (canTregs). Using in vivo models, we showed that ncTregs can avert the formation of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in part by reducing conventional T cell proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and tissue damage. This reduction in GVHD occurred without disruption of graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) effects. RNA sequencing revealed that a number of effector, cell adhesion, and migration molecules were upregulated in Itk-/- ncTregs. Furthermore, disrupting the SLP76: ITK interaction using a specific peptide inhibitor led to enhanced Treg development in both mouse and primary human cells. This peptide inhibitor also significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine production in primary GVHD patient samples and mouse T cells without causing cell death or apoptosis. We provide evidence that specifically targeting Itk signaling could be a therapeutic strategy to treat autoimmune disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahinbanu Mammadli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Liye Suo
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Adriana May
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Teresa Gentile
- Department of Hematology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Adam T Waickman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Alaji Bah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Avery August
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Elmar Nurmemmedov
- Department of Translational Neurosciences Saint John's Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Mobin Karimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The focus of this review is to examine the role of ITK signaling in multiple diseases and investigate the clinical potential of ITK inhibition. The diseases and potential interventions reviewed include T cell-derived malignancies as well as other neoplastic diseases, allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis, certain infectious diseases, several autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and finally the use of ITK inhibition in both solid organ and bone marrow transplantation recipients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Weeks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Rebecca Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Mobin Karimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue Weiskotten Hall Suite 2281, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mammadli M, Harris R, Mahmudlu S, Verma A, May A, Dhawan R, Waickman AT, Sen JM, August A, Karimi M. Human Wnt/β-Catenin Regulates Alloimmune Signaling during Allogeneic Transplantation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153798. [PMID: 34359702 PMCID: PMC8345079 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is one of the most widely applied forms of adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Detrimental graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but also beneficial graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects occurring after allo-HSCT are largely mediated by alloantigen-reactive donor T cells in the graft. Separating GVHD from GVL effects is a formidable challenge, and a greater understanding of donor T cell biology is required to accomplish the uncoupling of GVHD from GVL. Here, we evaluated the role of β-catenin in this process. Using a unique mouse model of transgenic overexpression of human β-catenin (Cat-Tg) in an allo-HSCT model, we show here that T cells from Cat-Tg mice did not cause GVHD, and surprisingly, Cat-Tg T cells maintained the GVL effect. Donor T cells from Cat-Tg mice exhibited significantly lower inflammatory cytokine production and reduced donor T cell proliferation, while upregulating cytotoxic mediators that resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity. RNA sequencing revealed changes in the expression of 1169 genes for CD4, and 1006 genes for CD8+ T cells involved in essential aspects of immune response and GVHD pathophysiology. Altogether, our data suggest that β-catenin is a druggable target for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce GVHD while preserving the beneficial GVL effects following allo-HSCT treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahinbanu Mammadli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Rebecca Harris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Sara Mahmudlu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Anjali Verma
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging-National Institutes of Health, 08C218, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (A.V.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Adriana May
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Rohan Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Adam T. Waickman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
| | - Jyoti Misra Sen
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging-National Institutes of Health, 08C218, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (A.V.); (J.M.S.)
- Immunology Program, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Avery August
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
| | - Mobin Karimi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.M.); (R.H.); (S.M.); (A.M.); (R.D.); (A.T.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +315-464-2344 or +315-464-7652
| |
Collapse
|