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Lee HK, Shin HJ, Koo J, Kim TH, Kim CW, Go RE, Seong YH, Park JE, Choi KC. Blockade of transforming growth factor β2 by anti-sense oligonucleotide improves immunotherapeutic potential of IL-2 against melanoma in a humanized mouse model. Cytotherapy 2021; 23:599-607. [PMID: 33975794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS IL-2 is a potent cytokine that activates natural killer cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and has been approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. However, the medical use of IL-2 is restricted because of its narrow therapeutic window and potential side effects, including the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs). METHODS In this study, the authors investigated the complementary effects of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide (TASO) on the immunotherapeutic potential of IL-2 in a melanoma-bearing humanized mouse model. RESULTS The authors observed that the combination of TASO and IL-2 facilitated infiltration of CTLs into the tumor, thereby potentiating the tumor killing function of CTLs associated with increased granzyme B expression. In addition, TASO attenuated the increase in Tregs by IL-2 in the peripheral blood and spleen and also inhibited infiltration of Tregs into the tumor, which was partly due to decreased CCL22. Alteration of T-cell constituents at the periphery by TGF-β2 inhibition combined with IL-2 might be associated with the synergistic augmentation of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α) and decreased ratio of Tregs to CTLs in tumor tissues, which consequently results in significant inhibition of tumor growth CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the application of TASO improves IL-2-mediated anti-tumor immunity, thus implying that blockade of TGF-β2 in combination with IL-2 may be a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ji Shin
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Koo
- R&D Center, Autotelic Bio, Inc, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hun Kim
- R&D Center, Autotelic Bio, Inc, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Cho-Won Kim
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ryeo-Eun Go
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Hee Seong
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Eui Park
- R&D Center, Autotelic Bio, Inc, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
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