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Accolla RS, Ramia E, Tedeschi A, Forlani G. CIITA-Driven MHC Class II Expressing Tumor Cells as Antigen Presenting Cell Performers: Toward the Construction of an Optimal Anti-tumor Vaccine. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1806. [PMID: 31417570 PMCID: PMC6682709 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Construction of an optimal vaccine against tumors relies on the availability of appropriate tumor-specific antigens capable to stimulate CD4+ T helper cells (TH) and CD8+ cytolytic T cells (CTL). CTL are considered the major effectors of the anti-tumor adaptive immune response as they recognize antigens presented on MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules usually expressed in all cells and thus also in tumors. However, attempts to translate in clinics vaccination protocols based only on tumor-specific MHC-I-bound peptides have resulted in very limited, if any, success. We believe failure was mostly due to inadequate triggering of the TH arm of adaptive immunity, as TH cells are necessary to trigger and maintain the proliferation of all the immune effector cells required to eliminate tumor cells. In this review, we focus on a novel strategy of anti-tumor vaccination established in our laboratory and based on the persistent expression of MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules in tumor cells. MHC-II are the restricting elements of TH recognition. They are usually not expressed in solid tumors. By genetically modifying tumor cells of distinct histological origin with the MHC-II transactivator CIITA, the physiological controller of MHC-II gene expression discovered in our laboratory, stable expression of all MHC class II genes was obtained. This resulted in tumor rejection or strong retardation of tumor growth in vivo in mice, mediated primarily by tumor-specific TH cells as assessed by both depletion and adoptive cell transfer experiments. Importantly these findings led us to apply this methodology to human settings for the purification of MHC-II-bound tumor specific peptides directly from tumor cells, specifically from hepatocarcinomas, and the construction of a multi-peptide (MHC-II and MHC-I specific) immunotherapeutic vaccine. Additionally, our approach unveiled a noticeable exception to the dogma that dendritic cells are the sole professional antigen presenting cells (APC) capable to prime naïve TH cells, because CIITA-dependent MHC-II expressing tumor cells could also perform this function. Thus, our approach has served not only to select the most appropriate tumor specific peptides to activate the key lymphocytes triggering the anti-tumor effector functions but also to increase our knowledge of intimate mechanisms governing basic immunological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto S Accolla
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Elise Ramia
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tedeschi
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Greta Forlani
- Laboratories of General Pathology and Immunology "Giovanna Tosi", Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Forero A, Li Y, Chen D, Grizzle WE, Updike KL, Merz ND, Downs-Kelly E, Burwell TC, Vaklavas C, Buchsbaum DJ, Myers RM, LoBuglio AF, Varley KE. Expression of the MHC Class II Pathway in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumor Cells Is Associated with a Good Prognosis and Infiltrating Lymphocytes. Cancer Immunol Res 2016; 4:390-9. [PMID: 26980599 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype with heterogeneous patient outcomes. Approximately 40% of patients experience rapid relapse, while the remaining patients have long-term disease-free survival. To determine if there are molecular differences between primary tumors that predict prognosis, we performed RNA-seq on 47 macrodissected tumors from newly diagnosed patients with TNBC (n = 47; 22 relapse, 25 no relapse; follow-up median, 8 years; range, 2-11 years). We discovered that expression of the MHC class II (MHC II) antigen presentation pathway in tumor tissue was the most significant pathway associated with progression-free survival (HR, 0.36; log-rank P = 0.0098). The association between MHC II pathway expression and good prognosis was confirmed in a public gene expression database of 199 TNBC cases (HR, 0.28; log-rank P = 4.5 × 10(-8)). Further analysis of immunohistochemistry, laser-capture microdissected tumors, and TNBC cell lines demonstrated that tumor cells, in addition to immune cells, aberrantly express the MHC II pathway. MHC II pathway expression was also associated with B-cell and T-cell infiltration in the tumor. Together, these data support the model that aberrant expression of the MHC II pathway in TNBC tumor cells may trigger an antitumor immune response that reduces the rate of relapse and enhances progression-free survival. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(5); 390-9. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Forero
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yufeng Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - William E Grizzle
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Katherine L Updike
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Natalie D Merz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Erinn Downs-Kelly
- Department of Pathology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Todd C Burwell
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama
| | - Christos Vaklavas
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Richard M Myers
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama. Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Albert F LoBuglio
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Katherine E Varley
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Greenow KR, Smalley MJ. Overview of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Breast Cancer Used in Translational Biology and Drug Development. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2015; 70:14.36.1-14.36.14. [PMID: 26331886 DOI: 10.1002/0471141755.ph1436s70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous condition with no single standard of treatment and no definitive method for determining whether a tumor will respond to therapy. The development of murine models that faithfully mimic specific human breast cancer subtypes is critical for the development of patient-specific treatments. While the artificial nature of traditional in vivo xenograft models used to characterize novel anticancer treatments has limited clinical predictive value, the development of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) makes it possible to study the therapeutic responses in an intact microenvironment. GEMMs have proven to be an experimentally tractable platform for evaluating the efficacy of novel therapeutic combinations and for defining the mechanisms of acquired resistance. Described in this overview are several of the more popular breast cancer GEMMs, including details on their value in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty R Greenow
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Current Address: Propath UK Ltd., Hereford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Smalley
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Corresponding Author:
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Accolla RS, Lombardo L, Abdallah R, Raval G, Forlani G, Tosi G. Boosting the MHC Class II-Restricted Tumor Antigen Presentation to CD4+ T Helper Cells: A Critical Issue for Triggering Protective Immunity and Re-Orienting the Tumor Microenvironment Toward an Anti-Tumor State. Front Oncol 2014; 4:32. [PMID: 24600588 PMCID: PMC3927100 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the existence of an immune response against tumor cells is well documented, the fact that tumors take off in cancer patients indicates that neoplastic cells can circumvent this response. Over the years many investigators have described strategies to rescue the anti-tumor immune response with the aim of creating specific and long-lasting protection against the disease. When exported to human clinical settings, these strategies have revealed in most cases a very limited, if any, positive outcome. We believe that the failure is mostly due to the inadequate triggering of the CD4+ T helper (TH) cell arm of the adaptive immunity, as TH cells are necessary to trigger all the immune effector mechanisms required to eliminate tumor cells. In this review, we focus on novel strategies that by stimulating MHC class II-restricted activation of TH cells generate a specific and persistent adaptive immunity against the tumor. This point is of critical importance for both preventive and therapeutic anti-tumor vaccination protocols, because adaptive immunity with its capacity to produce specific, long-lasting protection and memory responses is indeed the final goal of vaccination. We will discuss data from our as well as other laboratories which strongly suggest that triggering a specific and persistent anti-tumor CD4+ TH cell response stably modify not only the tumor microenvironment but also tumor-dependent extratumor microenvironments by eliminating and/or reducing the blood-derived tumor infiltrating cells that may have a pro-tumor growth function such as regulatory CD4+/CD25+ T cells and myeloid-derived-suppressor cells. Within this frame, therefore, we believe that the establishment of a pro-tumor environment is not the cause but simply the consequence of the tumor strategy to primarily counteract components of the adaptive cellular immunity, particularly TH lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto S Accolla
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
| | - Letizia Lombardo
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
| | - Rawan Abdallah
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
| | - Goutham Raval
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
| | - Greta Forlani
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
| | - Giovanna Tosi
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy
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Human cytomegalovirus infection elicits new decidual natural killer cell effector functions. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003257. [PMID: 23592985 PMCID: PMC3617138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During the first trimester of pregnancy the uterus is massively infiltrated by decidual natural killer cells (dNK). These cells are not killers, but they rather provide a microenvironment that is propitious to healthy placentation. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common cause of intrauterine viral infections and a known cause of severe birth defects or fetal death. The rate of HCMV congenital infection is often low in the first trimester of pregnancy. The mechanisms controlling HCMV spreading during pregnancy are not yet fully revealed, but evidence indicating that the innate immune system plays a role in controlling HCMV infection in healthy adults exists. In this study, we investigated whether dNK cells could be involved in controlling viral spreading and in protecting the fetus against congenital HCMV infection. We found that freshly isolated dNK cells acquire major functional and phenotypic changes when they are exposed to HCMV-infected decidual autologous fibroblasts. Functional studies revealed that dNK cells, which are mainly cytokines and chemokines producers during normal pregnancy, become cytotoxic effectors upon their exposure to HCMV-infected autologous decidual fibroblasts. Both the NKG2D and the CD94/NKG2C or 2E activating receptors are involved in the acquired cytotoxic function. Moreover, we demonstrate that CD56pos dNK cells are able to infiltrate HCMV-infected trophoblast organ culture ex-vivo and to co-localize with infected cells in situ in HCMV-infected placenta. Taken together, our results present the first evidence suggesting the involvement of dNK cells in controlling HCMV intrauterine infection and provide insights into the mechanisms through which these cells may operate to limit the spreading of viral infection to fetal tissues. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpes virus that can establish persisting infection in immunocompetent hosts. HCMV primary infection during pregnancy is devastating; it can result in up to 75% of congenital infections and it is a known cause of fetal death. The immune system and particularly natural killer cells (NK) are known to play a key role in the clearance of several viruses in healthy adults. Whether decidual NK cells (dNK), present in the pregnant uterus, have a role during HCMV infection is not known. We analyze changes in dNK cell function and phenotype in the presence of HCMV-infected targets in an autologous setting. We demonstrate the acquisition of cytotoxic profile which is associated with changes in dNK cell receptor repertoire and cytokine production. Finally, we find that dNK cells are able to sense HCMV infection, migrate and infiltrate infected tissues both in tissular organ culture and in situ in infected placenta. Together our results present the first report demonstrating the involvement of dNK cells in controlling HCMV infection.
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Khan ANH, Magner WJ, Tomasi TB. An epigenetic vaccine model active in the prevention and treatment of melanoma. J Transl Med 2007; 5:64. [PMID: 18070359 PMCID: PMC2231344 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-5-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/10/2007] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous immune genes are epigenetically silenced in tumor cells and agents such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), which reverse these effects, could potentially be used to develop therapeutic vaccines. The conversion of cancer cells to antigen presenting cells (APCs) by HDACi treatment could potentially provide an additional pathway, together with cross-presentation of tumor antigens by host APCs, to establish tumor immunity. Methods HDACi-treated B16 melanoma cells were used in a murine vaccine model, lymphocyte subset depletion, ELISpot and Cytotoxicity assays were employed to evaluate immunity. Antigen presentation assays, vaccination with isolated apoptotic preparations and tumorigenesis in MHC-deficient mice and radiation chimeras were performed to elucidate the mechanisms of vaccine-induced immunity. Results HDACi treatment enhanced the expression of MHC class II, CD40 and B7-1/2 on B16 cells and vaccination with HDACi-treated melanoma cells elicited tumor specific immunity in both prevention and treatment models. Cytotoxic and IFN-γ-producing cells were identified in splenocytes and CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells were all involved in the induction of immunity. Apoptotic cells derived from HDACi treatments, but not H2O2, significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the vaccine. HDACi-treated B16 cells become APCs in vitro and studies in chimeras defective in cross presentation demonstrate direct presentation in vivo and short-term but not memory responses and long-term immunity. Conclusion The efficacy of this vaccine derives mainly from cross-presentation which is enhanced by HDACi-induced apoptosis. Additionally, epigenetic activation of immune genes may contribute to direct antigen presentation by tumor cells. Epigenetically altered cancer cells should be further explored as a vaccine strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nazmul H Khan
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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