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Rogers J, Bajur AT, Salaita K, Spillane KM. Mechanical control of antigen detection and discrimination by T and B cell receptors. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00347-3. [PMID: 38794795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune response is orchestrated by just two cell types, T cells and B cells. Both cells possess the remarkable ability to recognize virtually any antigen through their respective antigen receptors-the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR). Despite extensive investigations into the biochemical signaling events triggered by antigen recognition in these cells, our ability to predict or control the outcome of T and B cell activation remains elusive. This challenge is compounded by the sensitivity of T and B cells to the biophysical properties of antigens and the cells presenting them-a phenomenon we are just beginning to understand. Recent insights underscore the central role of mechanical forces in this process, governing the conformation, signaling activity, and spatial organization of TCRs and BCRs within the cell membrane, ultimately eliciting distinct cellular responses. Traditionally, T cells and B cells have been studied independently, with researchers working in parallel to decipher the mechanisms of activation. While these investigations have unveiled many overlaps in how these cell types sense and respond to antigens, notable differences exist. To fully grasp their biology and harness it for therapeutic purposes, these distinctions must be considered. This review compares and contrasts the TCR and BCR, placing emphasis on the role of mechanical force in regulating the activity of both receptors to shape cellular and humoral adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna T Bajur
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Katelyn M Spillane
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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2
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Frebel K, Albring JC, Wohlgemuth A, Schwöppe C, Hailfinger S, Lenz G, Stelljes M. Comparison of antibody-based immunotherapeutics for malignant hematological disease in an experimental murine model. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1934-1945. [PMID: 38197968 PMCID: PMC11021910 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Antibody-based immunotherapies have revolutionized leukemia and lymphoma treatment, with animal studies being crucial in evaluating effectiveness and side effects. By targeting the evolutionary conserved Slamf7 immune receptor, which is naturally expressed by the murine multiple myeloma cell line MPC-11, we have developed a syngeneic mouse model for direct comparison of 3 immunotherapies: monoclonal antibodies (mAb), bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (CART), all targeting Slamf7. Slamf7-BiTE is a bispecific single-chain antibody consisting of α-Slamf7 and α-CD3 Fv fragments joined through a Gly-Ser linker, and Slamf7-CART comprises the α-Slamf7 Fv fragment fused to the msCD8α transmembrane and msCD28, 4-1BB, and CD3ζ intracellular signaling domains. Slamf7-BiTE and Slamf7-CART effectively killed MPC-11 cells in vitro, independently of Slamf7-mediated inhibitory signaling by self-ligation. After chimerizing the constant region of the rat-anti-mouse Slamf7 antibody to mouse Fc-immunoglobulin G2a for enhanced effector functions, Slamf7-mAb triggered antigen-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by binding to Fcγ receptor IV. In vivo, all 3 immunotherapies showed antitumor effects against Slamf7-expressing targets. Unlike Slamf7-mAb, Slamf7-BiTE led to considerable side effects in test animals, including weight loss and general malaise, which were also observed to a lesser extent after Slamf7-CART infusion. In allogeneic transplant, Slamf7-BiTE and Slamf7-CART maintained activity compared with the nontransplant setting, whereas Slamf7-mAb displayed enhanced antimyeloma activity. In summary, our model faithfully replicates treatment efficacy and side effects detected after human immunotherapy. It aids in developing and improving immunotherapies and may help devise novel approaches to mitigate undesired effects in steady state and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Frebel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jörn C. Albring
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anika Wohlgemuth
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Schwöppe
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephan Hailfinger
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Stelljes
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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Li Y, Zhao W, Shen Y, Xu Y, Chen S, Pan L. T Cell Receptor-Directed Bispecific T Cell Engager Targeting MHC-Linked NY-ESO-1 for Tumor Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2024; 12:776. [PMID: 38672132 PMCID: PMC11048172 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based bispecific T cell engagers (TCEs) that redirect T cells to kill tumor cells have shown a promising therapeutic effect on hematologic malignancies. However, tumor-specific targeting is still a challenge for TCEs, impeding the development of TCEs for solid tumor therapy. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) presents almost all intracellular peptides (including tumor-specific peptides) on the cell surface to be scanned by the TCR on T cells. With the premise of choosing optimal peptides, the final complex peptide-MHC could be the tumor-specific target for TCEs. Here, a novel TCR-directed format of a TCE targeting peptide-MHC was designed named IgG-T-TCE, which was modified from the IgG backbone and prepared in a mammalian cell expression system. The recombinant IgG-T-TCE-NY targeting NY-ESO-1157-165/HLA-A*02:01 could be generated in HEK293 cells with a glycosylated TCR and showed potency in T cell activation and redirecting T cells to specifically kill target tumor cells. We also found that the in vitro activity of IgG-T-TCE-NY could be leveraged by various anti-CD3 antibodies and Fc silencing. The IgG-T-TCE-NY efficiently inhibited tumor growth in a tumor-PBMC co-engrafted mouse model without any obvious toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Li
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
| | - Wenbin Zhao
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
- Zhejiang University Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
- Zhejiang University Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
| | - Shuqing Chen
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
| | - Liqiang Pan
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (Y.X.)
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4
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Rogers J, Ma R, Foote A, Hu Y, Salaita K. Force-Induced Site-Specific Enzymatic Cleavage Probes Reveal That Serial Mechanical Engagement Boosts T Cell Activation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7233-7242. [PMID: 38451498 PMCID: PMC10958510 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The T cell membrane is studded with >104 T cell receptors (TCRs) that are used to scan target cells to identify short peptide fragments associated with viral infection or cancerous mutation. These peptides are presented as peptide-major-histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) on the surface of virtually all nucleated cells. The TCR-pMHC complex forms at cell-cell junctions, is highly transient, and experiences mechanical forces. An important question in this area pertains to the role of the force duration in immune activation. Herein, we report the development of force probes that autonomously terminate tension within a time window following mechanical triggering. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage (FUSE) probes tune the tension duration by controlling the rate of a force-triggered endonuclease hydrolysis reaction. This new capability provides a method to study how the accumulated force duration contributes to T cell activation. We screened DNA sequences and identified FUSE probes that disrupt mechanical interactions with F > 7.1 piconewtons (pN) between TCRs and pMHCs. This rate of disruption, or force lifetime (τF), is tunable from tens of minutes down to 1.9 min. T cells challenged with FUSE probes with F > 7.1 pN presenting cognate antigens showed up to a 23% decrease in markers of early activation. FUSE probes with F > 17.0 pN showed weaker influence on T cell triggering further showing that TCR-pMHC with F > 17.0 pN are less frequent compared to F > 7.1 pN. Taken together, FUSE probes allow a new strategy to investigate the role of force dynamics in mechanotransduction broadly and specifically suggest a model of serial mechanical engagement boosting TCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Rong Ma
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Alexander Foote
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Wallace
H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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5
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Cui H, Zhang L, Shi Y. Biomaterials-mediated ligation of immune cell surface receptors for immunoengineering. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY TECHNOLOGY 2024; 21:100695. [PMID: 38405432 PMCID: PMC10891334 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2023.100695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
A wide variety of cell surface receptors found on immune cells are essential to the body's immunological defense mechanisms. Cell surface receptors enable immune cells to sense extracellular stimuli and identify pathogens, transmitting activating or inhibitory signals that regulate the immune cell state and coordinate immunological responses. These receptors can dynamically aggregate or disperse due to the fluidity of the cell membrane, particularly during interactions between cells or between cells and pathogens. At the contact surface, cell surface receptors form microclusters, facilitating the recruitment and amplification of downstream signals. The strength of the immune signal is influenced by both the quantity and the specific types of participating receptors. Generally, receptor cross-linking, meaning multivalent ligation of receptors on one cell, leads to greater interface connectivity and more robust signaling. However, intercellular interactions are often spatially restricted by other cellular structures. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend these receptors' features for developing effective immunoengineering approaches. Biomaterials can stimulate and simulate interactions between immune cells and their targets. Biomaterials can activate immune cells to act against pathogenic organisms or cancer cells, thereby offering a valuable immunoengineering toolset for vaccination and immunotherapy. In this review, we systematically summarize biomaterial-based immunoengineering strategies that consider the biology of diverse immune cell surface receptors and the structural attributes of pathogens. By combining this knowledge, we aim to advance the development of rational and effective approaches for immune modulation and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Cui
- Department of Polymer Therapeutics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - L. Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Y. Shi
- Department of Polymer Therapeutics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Schlabach MR, Lin S, Collester ZR, Wrocklage C, Shenker S, Calnan C, Xu T, Gannon HS, Williams LJ, Thompson F, Dunbar PR, LaMothe RA, Garrett TE, Colletti N, Hohmann AF, Tubo NJ, Bullock CP, Le Mercier I, Sofjan K, Merkin JJ, Keegan S, Kryukov GV, Dugopolski C, Stegmeier F, Wong K, Sharp FA, Cadzow L, Benson MJ. Rational design of a SOCS1-edited tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy using CRISPR/Cas9 screens. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163096. [PMID: 38099496 PMCID: PMC10721144 DOI: 10.1172/jci163096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy have shown promise in the treatment of patients with refractory solid tumors, with improvement in response rates and durability of responses nevertheless sought. To identify targets capable of enhancing the antitumor activity of T cell therapies, large-scale in vitro and in vivo clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 screens were performed, with the SOCS1 gene identified as a top T cell-enhancing target. In murine CD8+ T cell-therapy models, SOCS1 served as a critical checkpoint in restraining the accumulation of central memory T cells in lymphoid organs as well as intermediate (Texint) and effector (Texeff) exhausted T cell subsets derived from progenitor exhausted T cells (Texprog) in tumors. A comprehensive CRISPR tiling screen of the SOCS1-coding region identified sgRNAs targeting the SH2 domain of SOCS1 as the most potent, with an sgRNA with minimal off-target cut sites used to manufacture KSQ-001, an engineered TIL therapy with SOCS1 inactivated by CRISPR/Cas9. KSQ-001 possessed increased responsiveness to cytokine signals and enhanced in vivo antitumor function in mouse models. These data demonstrate the use of CRISPR/Cas9 screens in the rational design of T cell therapies.
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7
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Rogers J, Ma R, Hu Y, Salaita K. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage probes reveal that serial mechanical engagement boosts T cell activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.07.552310. [PMID: 37609308 PMCID: PMC10441320 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.07.552310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The surface of T cells is studded with T cell receptors (TCRs) that are used to scan target cells to identify peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) signatures of viral infection or cancerous mutation. It is now established that the TCR-pMHC complex is highly transient and experiences mechanical forces that augment the fidelity of T cell activation. An important question in this area pertains to the role of force duration in immune activation. Herein, we report the development of force probes that autonomously terminate tension within a time window following mechanical triggering. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage (FUSE) probes tune tension duration by controlling the rate of a force-triggered endonuclease hydrolysis reaction. This new capability provides a method to study how accumulated force duration contributes to T cell activation. We screened DNA sequences and identified FUSE probes that disrupt mechanical interactions with F >7.1 piconewtons (pN) between TCRs and pMHCs. Force lifetimes (τF) are tunable from tens of min down to 1.9 min. T cells challenged with FUSE probes presenting cognate antigens with τF of 1.9 min demonstrated dampened markers of early activation, thus demonstrating that repeated mechanical sampling boosts TCR activation. Repeated mechanical sampling F >7.1 pN was found to be particularly critical at lower pMHC antigen densities, wherein the T cell activation declined by 23% with τF of 1.9 min. FUSE probes with F >17.0 pN response showed weaker influence on T cell triggering further showing that TCR-pMHC with F >17.0 pN are less frequent compared to F >7.1 pN. Taken together, FUSE probes allow a new strategy to investigate the role of force dynamics in mechanotransduction broadly and specifically suggest a model of serial mechanical engagement in antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332, USA
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8
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Du Y, Lyu Y, Lin J, Ma C, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Qiu L, Tan W. Membrane-anchored DNA nanojunctions enable closer antigen-presenting cell-T-cell contact in elevated T-cell receptor triggering. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 18:818-827. [PMID: 36894782 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
How the engagement of a T-cell receptor to antigenic peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) initiates intracellular signalling cascades in T cells is not well understood. In particular, the dimension of the cellular contact zone is regarded as a determinant, but its influence remains controversial. This is due to the need for appropriate strategies for manipulating intermembrane spacing between the APC-T-cell interfaces without involving protein modification. Here we describe a membrane-anchored DNA nanojunction with distinct sizes to extend, maintain and shorten the APC-T-cell interface down to 10 nm. Our results suggest that the axial distance of the contact zone is critical in T-cell activation, presumably by modulating protein reorganization and mechanical force. Notably, we observe the promotion of T-cell signalling by shortening the intermembrane distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Du
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifan Lyu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunran Ma
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Liping Qiu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Segaliny AI, Jayaraman J, Chen X, Chong J, Luxon R, Fung A, Fu Q, Jiang X, Rivera R, Ma X, Ren C, Zimak J, Hedde PN, Shang Y, Wu G, Zhao W. A high throughput bispecific antibody discovery pipeline. Commun Biol 2023; 6:380. [PMID: 37029216 PMCID: PMC10082157 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04746-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent an emerging class of immunotherapy, but inefficiency in the current discovery has limited their broad clinical availability. Here we report a high throughput, agnostic, single-cell-based functional screening pipeline, comprising molecular and cell engineering for efficient generation of BsAb library cells, followed by functional interrogation at the single-cell level to identify and sort positive clones and downstream sequence identification and functionality characterization. Using a CD19xCD3 bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) as a model, we demonstrate that our single-cell platform possesses a high throughput screening efficiency of up to one and a half million variant library cells per run and can isolate rare functional clones at a low abundance of 0.008%. Using a complex CD19xCD3 BiTE-expressing cell library with approximately 22,300 unique variants comprising combinatorially varied scFvs, connecting linkers and VL/VH orientations, we have identified 98 unique clones, including extremely rare ones (~ 0.001% abundance). We also discovered BiTEs that exhibit novel properties and insights to design variable preferences for functionality. We expect our single-cell platform to not only increase the discovery efficiency of new immunotherapeutics, but also enable identifying generalizable design principles based on an in-depth understanding of the inter-relationships between sequence, structure, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayapriya Jayaraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | | | - Ryan Luxon
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Audrey Fung
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Qiwei Fu
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Xianzhi Jiang
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | | | - Xiaoya Ma
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Ci Ren
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Jan Zimak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Per Niklas Hedde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yonglei Shang
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - George Wu
- Amberstone Biosciences, Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618, USA.
| | - Weian Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Edwards Life Sciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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10
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López-Cantillo G, Urueña C, Camacho BA, Ramírez-Segura C. CAR-T Cell Performance: How to Improve Their Persistence? Front Immunol 2022; 13:878209. [PMID: 35572525 PMCID: PMC9097681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with T cells reprogrammed to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) has been highly successful in patients with hematological neoplasms. However, its therapeutic benefits have been limited in solid tumor cases. Even those patients who respond to this immunotherapy remain at risk of relapse due to the short-term persistence or non-expansion of CAR-T cells; moreover, the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) leads to the dysfunction of these cells after reinfusion. Some research has shown that, in adoptive T-cell therapies, the presence of less differentiated T-cell subsets within the infusion product is associated with better clinical outcomes. Naive and memory T cells persist longer and exhibit greater antitumor activity than effector T cells. Therefore, new methods are being studied to overcome the limitations of this therapy to generate CAR-T cells with these ideal phenotypes. In this paper, we review the characteristics of T-cell subsets and their implications in the clinical outcomes of adoptive therapy with CAR-T cells. In addition, we describe some strategies developed to overcome the reduced persistence of CAR T-cells and alternatives to improve this therapy by increasing the expansion ability and longevity of modified T cells. These methods include cell culture optimization, incorporating homeostatic cytokines during the expansion phase of manufacturing, modulation of CAR-T cell metabolism, manipulating signaling pathways involved in T-cell differentiation, and strategies related to CAR construct designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina López-Cantillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Urueña
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Cesar Ramírez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto Distrital de Ciencia Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
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11
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The interplay between membrane topology and mechanical forces in regulating T cell receptor activity. Commun Biol 2022; 5:40. [PMID: 35017678 PMCID: PMC8752658 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02995-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are critically important for host defense against infections. T cell activation is specific because signal initiation requires T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of foreign antigen peptides presented by major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC) on antigen presenting cells (APCs). Recent advances reveal that the TCR acts as a mechanoreceptor, but it remains unclear how pMHC/TCR engagement generates mechanical forces that are converted to intracellular signals. Here we propose a TCR Bending Mechanosignal (TBM) model, in which local bending of the T cell membrane on the nanometer scale allows sustained contact of relatively small pMHC/TCR complexes interspersed among large surface receptors and adhesion molecules on the opposing surfaces of T cells and APCs. Localized T cell membrane bending is suggested to increase accessibility of TCR signaling domains to phosphorylation, facilitate selective recognition of agonists that form catch bonds, and reduce noise signals associated with slip bonds. Al-Aghbar et al propose a TCR bending mechanosignal model that demonstrates how local mechanical membrane bending may influence T cell receptor binding events and thus T-cell activation.
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12
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Wilhelm KB, Morita S, McAffee DB, Kim S, O'Dair MK, Groves JT. Height, but not binding epitope, affects the potency of synthetic TCR agonists. Biophys J 2021; 120:3869-3880. [PMID: 34453921 PMCID: PMC8511163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules can trigger T cell receptors (TCRs) as monovalent ligands that are sparsely distributed on the plasma membrane of an antigen-presenting cell. TCRs can also be triggered by artificial clustering, such as with pMHC tetramers or antibodies; however, these strategies circumvent many of the natural ligand discrimination mechanisms of the T cell and can elicit nonphysiological signaling activity. We have recently introduced a synthetic TCR agonist composed of an anti-TCRβ Fab′ antibody fragment covalently bound to a DNA oligonucleotide, which serves as a membrane anchor. This Fab′-DNA ligand efficiently triggers TCR as a monomer when membrane associated and exhibits a potency and activation profile resembling agonist pMHC. In this report, we explore the geometric requirements for efficient TCR triggering and cellular activation by Fab′-DNA ligands. We find that T cells are insensitive to the ligand binding epitope on the TCR complex but that length of the DNA tether is important. Increasing, the intermembrane distance spanned by Fab′-DNA:TCR complexes decreases TCR triggering efficiency and T cell activation potency, consistent with the kinetic-segregation model of TCR triggering. These results establish design parameters for constructing synthetic TCR agonists that are able to activate polyclonal T cell populations, such as T cells from a human patient, in a similar manner as the native pMHC ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera B Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Shumpei Morita
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Darren B McAffee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Sungi Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Mark K O'Dair
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California.
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13
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Cassioli C, Balint S, Compeer EB, Felce JH, Gamberucci A, Della Bella C, Felce SL, Brunetti J, Valvo S, Pende D, D’Elios MM, Moretta L, Dustin ML, Baldari CT. Increasing LFA-1 Expression Enhances Immune Synapse Architecture and T Cell Receptor Signaling in Jurkat E6.1 Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673446. [PMID: 34368126 PMCID: PMC8343233 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Jurkat E6.1 clone has been extensively used as a powerful tool for the genetic and biochemical dissection of the TCR signaling pathway. More recently, these cells have been exploited in imaging studies to identify key players in immunological synapse (IS) assembly in superantigen-specific conjugates and to track the dynamics of signaling molecules on glass surfaces coated with activating anti-CD3 antibodies. By comparison, Jurkat cells have been used only scantily for imaging on supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) incorporating laterally mobile TCR and integrin ligands, which allow to study synaptic rearrangements of surface molecules and the fine architecture of the mature IS, likely due to limitations in the assembly of immune synapses with well-defined architecture. Here we have explored whether upregulating the low levels of endogenous LFA-1 expression on Jurkat E6.1 cells through transduction with CD11a- and CD18-encoding lentiviruses can improve IS architecture. We show that, while forced LFA-1 expression did not affect TCR recruitment to the IS, E6.1 LFA-1 high cells assembled better structured synapses, with a tighter distribution of signaling-competent TCRs at the center of the IS. LFA-1 upregulation enhanced protein phosphotyrosine signaling on SLBs but not at the IS formed in conjugates with SEE-pulsed APCs, and led to the constitutive formation of an intracellular phosphotyrosine pool co-localizing with endosomal CD3ζ. This was paralleled by an increase in the levels of p-ZAP-70 and p-Erk both under basal conditions and following activation, and in enhanced Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. The enhancement in early signaling E6.1 LFA-1 high cells did not affect expression of the early activation marker CD69 but led to an increase in IL-2 expression. Our results highlight a new role for LFA-1 in the core architecture of the IS that can be exploited to study the spatiotemporal redistribution of surface receptors on SLBs, thereby extending the potential of E6.1 cells and their derivatives for fine-scale imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefan Balint
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ewoud B. Compeer
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James H. Felce
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Gamberucci
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Della Bella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Suet Ling Felce
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Valvo
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Pende
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Mario M. D’Elios
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Michael L. Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Abstract
Personalized cancer vaccines (PCVs) are reinvigorating vaccine strategies in cancer immunotherapy. In contrast to adoptive T-cell therapy and checkpoint blockade, the PCV strategy modulates the innate and adaptive immune systems with broader activation to redeploy antitumor immunity with individualized tumor-specific antigens (neoantigens). Following a sequential scheme of tumor biopsy, mutation analysis, and epitope prediction, the administration of neoantigens with synthetic long peptide (SLP) or mRNA formulations dramatically improves the population and activity of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Despite the promising prospect of PCVs, there is still great potential for optimizing prevaccination procedures and vaccine potency. In particular, the arduous development of tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-based vaccines provides valuable experience and rational principles for augmenting vaccine potency which is expected to advance PCV through the design of adjuvants, delivery systems, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) reversion since current personalized vaccination simply admixes antigens with adjuvants. Considering the broader application of TAA-based vaccine design, these two strategies complement each other and can lead to both personalized and universal therapeutic methods. Chemical strategies provide vast opportunities for (1) exploring novel adjuvants, including synthetic molecules and materials with optimizable activity, (2) constructing efficient and precise delivery systems to avoid systemic diffusion, improve biosafety, target secondary lymphoid organs, and enhance antigen presentation, and (3) combining bioengineering methods to innovate improvements in conventional vaccination, "smartly" re-educate the TME, and modulate antitumor immunity. As chemical strategies have proven versatility, reliability, and universality in the design of T cell- and B cell-based antitumor vaccines, the union of such numerous chemical methods in vaccine construction is expected to provide new vigor and vitality in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, 100069 Beijing, China.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
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15
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Lin JJ, O'Donoghue GP, Wilhelm KB, Coyle MP, Low-Nam ST, Fay NC, Alfieri KN, Groves JT. Membrane Association Transforms an Inert Anti-TCRβ Fab' Ligand into a Potent T Cell Receptor Agonist. Biophys J 2020; 118:2879-2893. [PMID: 32407684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) ligand for T cell receptors (TCRs) is inactive from solution yet capable of activating T cells at single-molecule levels when membrane-associated. This distinctive feature stems from the mechanism of TCR activation, which is thought to involve steric phosphatase exclusion as well as direct mechanical forces. It is possible to defeat this mechanism and activate T cells with solution ligands by cross-linking pMHC or using multivalent antibodies to TCR. However, these widely used strategies activate TCRs through a nonphysiological mechanism and can produce different activation profiles than natural, monovalent, membrane-associated pMHC. Here, we introduce a strictly monovalent anti-TCRβ H57 Fab' ligand that, when coupled to a supported lipid bilayer via DNA complementation, triggers TCRs and activates nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) with a similar potency to pMHC in primary murine T cells. Importantly, like monovalent pMHC and unlike bivalent antibodies, monovalent Fab'-DNA triggers TCRs only when physically coupled to the membrane, and only around 100 individual Fab':TCR interactions are necessary to stimulate early T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny J Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Geoff P O'Donoghue
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California.
| | - Kiera B Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Michael P Coyle
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California.
| | - Shalini T Low-Nam
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Nicole C Fay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Katherine N Alfieri
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California.
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16
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Wan Z, Shaheen S, Chau A, Zeng Y, Liu W. Imaging: Gear up for mechano-immunology. Cell Immunol 2019; 350:103926. [PMID: 31151736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.103926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells including B and T lymphocytes have a remarkable ability to sense the physical perturbations through their surface expressed receptors. At the advent of modern imaging technologies paired with biophysical methods, we have gained the understanding of mechanical forces exerted by immune cells to perform their functions. This review will go over the imaging techniques already being used to study mechanical forces in immune cells. We will also discuss the dire need for new modern technologies for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengpeng Wan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samina Shaheen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Alicia Chau
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yingyue Zeng
- School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Beijing 100084, China.
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17
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Tischer DK, Weiner OD. Light-based tuning of ligand half-life supports kinetic proofreading model of T cell signaling. eLife 2019; 8:42498. [PMID: 30947808 PMCID: PMC6488292 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are thought to discriminate self from foreign peptides by converting small differences in ligand binding half-life into large changes in cell signaling. Such a kinetic proofreading model has been difficult to test directly, as existing methods of altering ligand binding half-life also change other potentially important biophysical parameters, most notably the mechanical stability of the receptor-ligand interaction. Here we develop an optogenetic approach to specifically tune the binding half-life of a chimeric antigen receptor without changing other binding parameters and provide direct evidence of kinetic proofreading in T cell signaling. This half-life discrimination is executed in the proximal signaling pathway, downstream of ZAP70 recruitment and upstream of diacylglycerol accumulation. Our methods represent a general tool for temporal and spatial control of T cell signaling and extend the reach of optogenetics to probe pathways where the individual molecular kinetics, rather than the ensemble average, gates downstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug K Tischer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Orion David Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
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18
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Gálvez J, Gálvez JJ, García-Peñarrubia P. Is TCR/pMHC Affinity a Good Estimate of the T-cell Response? An Answer Based on Predictions From 12 Phenotypic Models. Front Immunol 2019; 10:349. [PMID: 30886616 PMCID: PMC6410681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On the T-cell surface the TCR is the only molecule that senses antigen, and the engagement of TCR with its specific antigenic peptide (agonist)/MHC complex (pMHC) is determined by the biochemical parameters of the TCR-pMHC interaction. This interaction is the keystone of the adaptive immune response by triggering intracellular signaling pathways that induce the expression of genes required for T cell-mediated effector functions, such as T cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity. To study the TCR-pMHC interaction one of its properties most extensively analyzed has been TCR-pMHC affinity. However, and despite of intensive experimental research, the results obtained are far from conclusive. Here, to determine if TCR-pMHC affinity is a reliable parameter to characterize T-cell responses, a systematic study has been performed based on the predictions of 12 phenotypic models. This approach has the advantage that allow us to study the response of a given system as a function of only those parameters in which we are interested while other system parameters remain constant. A little surprising, only the simple occupancy model predicts a direct relationship between affinity and response so that an increase in affinity always leads to larger responses. Conversely, in the others more elaborate models this clear situation does not occur, i.e., that a general positive correlation between affinity and immune response does not exist. This is mainly because affinity values are given by the quotient k on/k off where k on and k off are the rate constants of the binding process (i.e., affinity is in fact the quotient of two parameters), so that different sets of these rate constants can give the same value of affinity. However, except in the occupancy model, the predicted T-cell responses depend on the individual values of k on and k off rather than on their quotient k on/k off. This allows: a) that systems with the same affinity can show quite different responses; and b) that systems with low affinity may exhibit larger responses than systems with higher affinities. This would make affinity a poor estimate of T-cell responses and, as a result, data correlations between affinity and immune response should be interpreted and used with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Gálvez
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan J Gálvez
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Pilar García-Peñarrubia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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19
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Ellerman D. Bispecific T-cell engagers: Towards understanding variables influencing the in vitro potency and tumor selectivity and their modulation to enhance their efficacy and safety. Methods 2018; 154:102-117. [PMID: 30395966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bispecific molecules redirecting the cytotoxicity of T-cells are a growing class of therapeutics with numerous molecules being tested in clinical trials. However, it has been a long way since the proof of concept studies in the mid 1980's. In the process we have learnt about the impact of different variables related to the bispecific molecule and the target antigen on the potency of this type of drugs. This work reviews the insights gained and how that knowledge has been used to design more potent bispecific T-cell engagers. The more recent advancement of antibodies with this modality into safety studies in non-human primates and as well as in clinical studies has revealed potential toxicity liabilities for the mode of action. Modifications in existing antibody formats and new experimental molecules designed to mitigate these problems are discussed.
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20
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Zhang L, Sosinowski T, Cox AR, Cepeda JR, Sekhar NS, Hartig SM, Miao D, Yu L, Pietropaolo M, Davidson HW. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting a pathogenic MHC class II:peptide complex modulate the progression of autoimmune diabetes. J Autoimmun 2018; 96:50-58. [PMID: 30122420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A primary initiating epitope in the NOD mouse model of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) lies between residues 9 and 23 of the insulin B chain. The B:9-23 peptide can bind to the NOD MHC class II molecule (I-Ag7) in multiple registers, but only one, (register 3, R3), creates complexes able to stimulate the majority of pathogenic B:9-23-specific CD4+ T cells. Previously we generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb287) that targets this critical I-Ag7-B:9-23(R3) complex. When given weekly to pre-diabetic mice at either early or late stages of disease, mAb287 was able to delay or prevent T1D in the treated animals. Although the precise mechanism of action of mAb287 remains unclear, we hypothesized that it may involve deletion of antigen presenting cells (APCs) bearing the pathogenic IAg7-B:9-23(R3) complexes, and that this process might be rendered more efficient by re-directing cytotoxic T cells using a mAb287 chimeric antigen receptor (287-CAR). As anticipated, 287-CAR T cells secreted IFN-γ in response to stimulation by I-Ag7-B:9-23(R3) complexes expressed on artificial APCs, but not I-Ag7 loaded with other peptides, and killed the presenting cells in vitro. A single infusion of 287-CAR CD8+ T cells to young (5 week old) NOD mice significantly delayed the onset of overt hyperglycemia compared to untreated animals (p = 0.022). None of the 287-CAR CD8+ T cell treated mice developed diabetes before 18 weeks of age, while 29% of control-CAR T cell treated mice (p = 0.044) and 52% of the un-treated mice (p = 0.0001) had developed T1D by this time. However, the protection provided by 287-CAR CD8+ T cells declined with time, and no significant difference in overall incidence by 30 weeks between the 3 groups was observed. Mechanistic studies indicated that the adoptively transferred 287-CAR T cells selectively homed to pancreatic lymph nodes, and in some animals could persist for at least 1-2 weeks post-transfer, but were essentially undetectable 10-15 weeks later. Our study demonstrates that CAR T cells specific for a pathogenic MHC class II:peptide complex can be effective in vivo, but that a single infusion of the current iteration can only delay, but not prevent, the development of T1D. Future studies should therefore be directed towards optimizing strategies designed to improve the longevity of the transferred cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
| | - Tomasz Sosinowski
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Aaron R Cox
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joseph Ray Cepeda
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nitin S Sekhar
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sean M Hartig
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dongmei Miao
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Liping Yu
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Massimo Pietropaolo
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Howard W Davidson
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
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21
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Cai H, Muller J, Depoil D, Mayya V, Sheetz MP, Dustin ML, Wind SJ. Full control of ligand positioning reveals spatial thresholds for T cell receptor triggering. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 13:610-617. [PMID: 29713075 PMCID: PMC6035778 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0113-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Elucidating the rules for receptor triggering in cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts requires precise control of ligand positioning in three dimensions. Here, we use the T cell receptor (TCR) as a model and subject T cells to different geometric arrangements of ligands, using a nanofabricated single-molecule array platform. This comprises monovalent TCR ligands anchored to lithographically patterned nanoparticle clusters surrounded by mobile adhesion molecules on a supported lipid bilayer. The TCR ligand could be co-planar with the supported lipid bilayer (2D), excluding the CD45 transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase, or elevated by 10 nm on solid nanopedestals (3D), allowing closer access of CD45 to engaged TCR. The two configurations resulted in different T cell responses, depending on the lateral spacing between the ligands. These results identify the important contributions of lateral and axial components of ligand positioning and create a more complete foundation for receptor engineering for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haogang Cai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - James Muller
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Depoil
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Viveka Mayya
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael P Sheetz
- Mechanobiology Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Shalom J Wind
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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22
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Al-Aghbar MA, Chu YS, Chen BM, Roffler SR. High-Affinity Ligands Can Trigger T Cell Receptor Signaling Without CD45 Segregation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:713. [PMID: 29686683 PMCID: PMC5900011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How T cell receptors (TCRs) are triggered to start signaling is still not fully understood. It has been proposed that segregation of the large membrane tyrosine phosphatase CD45 from engaged TCRs initiates signaling by favoring phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) in the cytoplasmic domains of CD3 molecules. However, whether CD45 segregation is important to initiate triggering is still uncertain. We examined CD45 segregation from TCRs engaged to anti-CD3 scFv with high or low affinity and with defined molecular lengths on glass-supported lipid bilayers using total internal reflection microscopy. Both short and elongated high-affinity anti-CD3 scFv effectively induced similar calcium mobilization, Zap70 phosphorylation, and cytokine secretion in Jurkat T cells but CD45 segregated from activated TCR microclusters significantly less for elongated versus short anti-CD3 ligands. In addition, at early times, triggering cells with both high and low affinity elongated anti-CD3 scFv resulted in similar degrees of CD3 co-localization with CD45, but only the high-affinity scFv induced T cell activation. The lack of correlation between CD45 segregation and early markers of T cell activation suggests that segregation of CD45 from engaged TCRs is not mandatory for initial triggering of TCR signaling by elongated high-affinity ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ameen Al-Aghbar
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Taiwan International Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yeh-Shiu Chu
- Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Mae Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steve R Roffler
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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