Treml4, an Ig superfamily member, mediates presentation of several antigens to T cells in vivo, including protective immunity to HER2 protein

Who is who within the universe of TREM-like transcripts (TREML)?

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells (TREM) family of receptors plays a crucial role in the immune response across various species. Particularly, TREM-1 and TREM-2 have been extensively studied, both in terms of their applications and their expression sites and signaling pathways. However, the same is not observed for the other family members collectively known as TREM-like-transcripts (TREML). The TREML family consists of eight receptors, with TREML1-5 identified in humans and mice, TREML-6 exclusive found in mice, TREML-7 in dogs and horses, and TREML-8 in rabbits and opossums. Despite the limited data available on the TREML members, they have been implicated in different immune and non-immune activities, which have been proposed to display both pro and anti-inflammatory activities, and to influence fundamental biological processes such as coagulation, bone and neurological development. In this review, we have compiled available information regarding the already discovered members of the family and provided foundational framework for understanding the function, localization, and therapeutic potential of all TREML members. Additionally, we hope that this review may shed light on this family of receptors, whose underlying mechanisms are still awaiting elucidation, while emphasizing the need for future studies to explore their functions and potential therapeutic application.

Cellular and transcriptome signatures unveiled by single-cell RNA-Seq following ex vivo infection of murine splenocytes with Borrelia burgdorferi

Introduction

Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the US, is caused by a spirochetal pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Distinct host responses are observed in susceptible and resistant strains of inbred of mice following infection with Bb reflecting a subset of inflammatory responses observed in human Lyme disease. The advent of post-genomic methodologies and genomic data sets enables dissecting the host responses to advance therapeutic options for limiting the pathogen transmission and/or treatment of Lyme disease.

Methods

In this study, we used single-cell RNA-Seq analysis in conjunction with mouse genomics exploiting GFP-expressing Bb to sort GFP+ splenocytes and GFP- bystander cells to uncover novel molecular and cellular signatures that contribute to early stages of immune responses against Bb.

Results

These data decoded the heterogeneity of splenic neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, B cells, and T cells in C3H/HeN mice in response to Bb infection. Increased mRNA abundance of apoptosis-related genes was observed in neutrophils and macrophages clustered from GFP+ splenocytes. Moreover, complement-mediated phagocytosis-related genes such as C1q and Ficolin were elevated in an inflammatory macrophage subset, suggesting upregulation of these genes during the interaction of macrophages with Bb-infected neutrophils. In addition, the role of DUSP1 in regulating the expression of Casp3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Il1b, and Ccl5 in Bb-infected neutrophils were identified.

Discussion

These findings serve as a growing catalog of cell phenotypes/biomarkers among murine splenocytes that can be exploited for limiting spirochetal burden to limit the transmission of the agent of Lyme disease to humans via reservoir hosts.

The biology of TREM receptors

Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (TREMs) encompass a family of cell-surface receptors chiefly expressed by granulocytes, monocytes and tissue macrophages. These receptors have been implicated in inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, bone remodelling, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and cancer. Here, I review the structure, ligands, signalling modes and functions of TREMs in humans and mice and discuss the challenges that remain in understanding TREM biology.

Cell-targeted vaccines: implications for adaptive immunity

Recent advancements in immunology and chemistry have facilitated advancements in targeted vaccine technology. Targeting specific cell types, tissue locations, or receptors can allow for modulation of the adaptive immune response to vaccines. This review provides an overview of cellular targets of vaccines, suggests methods of targeting and downstream effects on immune responses, and summarizes general trends in the literature. Understanding the relationships between vaccine targets and subsequent adaptive immune responses is critical for effective vaccine design. This knowledge could facilitate design of more effective, disease-specialized vaccines.

Nonclassical monocytes potentiate anti-tumoral CD8+ T cell responses in the lungs

CD8⁺ T cells drive anti-cancer immunity in response to antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells and subpopulations of monocytes and macrophages. While CD14⁺ classical monocytes modulate CD8⁺ T cell responses, the contributions of CD16⁺ nonclassical monocytes to this process remain unclear. Herein we explored the role of nonclassical monocytes in CD8⁺ T cell activation by utilizing E2-deficient (E2^-/-) mice that lack nonclassical monocytes. During early metastatic seeding, modeled by B16F10-OVA cancer cells injected into E2^-/- mice, we noted lower CD8⁺ effector memory and effector T cell frequencies within the lungs as well as in lung-draining mediastinal lymph nodes in the E2^-/- mice. Analysis of the myeloid compartment revealed that these changes were associated with depletion of MHC-II^loLy6C^lo nonclassical monocytes within these tissues, with little change in other monocyte or macrophage populations. Additionally, nonclassical monocytes preferentially trafficked to primary tumor sites in the lungs, rather than to the lung-draining lymph nodes, and did not cross-present antigen to CD8⁺ T cells. Examination of the lung microenvironment in E2^-/- mice revealed reduced CCL21 expression in endothelial cells, which is chemokine involved in T cell trafficking. Our results highlight the previously unappreciated importance of nonclassical monocytes in shaping the tumor microenvironment via CCL21 production and CD8⁺ T cell recruitment.

MHC-dressing on dendritic cells: Boosting anti-tumor immunity via unconventional tumor antigen presentation

Dendritic cells are crucial for anti-tumor immune responses due to their ability to activate cytotoxic effector CD8⁺ T cells. Canonically, in anti-tumor immunity, dendritic cells activate CD8⁺ T cells in a process termed cross-presentation. Recent studies have demonstrated that another type of antigen presentation, MHC-dressing, also serves to activate CD8⁺ T cells against tumor cell-derived antigens. Understanding MHC-dressing's specific contributions to anti-tumor immunity can open up novel therapeutic avenues. In this review, we summarize the early studies that identified MHC-dressing as a relevant antigen presentation pathway before diving into a deeper discussion of the biology of MHC-dressing, focusing in particular on which dendritic cell subsets are most capable of performing MHC-dressing and how MHC-dressing compares to other forms of antigen presentation. We conclude by discussing the implications MHC-dressing has for anti-tumor immunity.

Neuroprotective Potential of Dendritic Cells and Sirtuins in Multiple Sclerosis

Myeloid cells, including parenchymal microglia, perivascular and meningeal macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs), are present in the central nervous system (CNS) and establish an intricate relationship with other cells, playing a crucial role both in health and in neurological diseases. In this context, DCs are critical to orchestrating the immune response linking the innate and adaptive immune systems. Under steady-state conditions, DCs patrol the CNS, sampling their local environment and acting as sentinels. During neuroinflammation, the resulting activation of DCs is a critical step that drives the inflammatory response or the resolution of inflammation with the participation of different cell types of the immune system (macrophages, mast cells, T and B lymphocytes), resident cells of the CNS and soluble factors. Although the importance of DCs is clearly recognized, their exact function in CNS disease is still debated. In this review, we will discuss modern concepts of DC biology in steady-state and during autoimmune neuroinflammation. Here, we will also address some key aspects involving DCs in CNS patrolling, highlighting the neuroprotective nature of DCs and emphasizing their therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurological conditions. Recently, inhibition of the NAD⁺-dependent deac(et)ylase sirtuin 6 was demonstrated to delay the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, by dampening DC trafficking towards inflamed LNs. Thus, a special focus will be dedicated to sirtuins’ role in DCs functions.

Applications of Antibody-Based Antigen Delivery Targeted to Dendritic Cells In Vivo

Recombinant immunoglobulins, derived from monoclonal antibodies recognizing the defined surface epitopes expressed on dendritic cells, have been employed for the past two decades to deliver antigens to dendritic cells in vivo, serving as critical tools for the investigation of the corresponding T cell responses. These approaches originated with the development of the recombinant chimeric antibody against a multilectin receptor, DEC-205, which is present on subsets of murine and human conventional dendritic cells. Following the widespread application of antigen targeting through DEC-205, similar approaches then utilized other epitopes as entry points for antigens delivered by specific antibodies to multiple types of dendritic cells. Overall, these antigen-delivery methodologies helped to reveal the mechanisms underlying tolerogenic and immunogenic T cell responses orchestrated by dendritic cells. Here, we discuss the relevant experimental strategies as well as their future perspectives, including their translational relevance.

Targeting dendritic cells in situ for breast cancer immunotherapy

We have recently developed a protein vaccine against breast cancer in which HER2 is delivered to dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo through receptors expressed on their surface. Our results indicate that this is a promising approach to induce durable, broad and integrated immunity against breast cancer.

Targeting Dendritic Cells with Antigen-Delivering Antibodies for Amelioration of Autoimmunity in Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis and Other Autoimmune Diseases

The specific targeting of dendritic cells (DCs) using antigen-delivering antibodies has been established to be a highly efficient protocol for the induction of tolerance and protection from autoimmune processes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in some other animal disease models. As the specific mechanisms of such induced tolerance are being investigated, the newly gained insights may also possibly help to design effective treatments for patients. Here we review approaches applied for the amelioration of autoimmunity in animal models based on antibody-mediated targeting of self-antigens to DCs. Further, we discuss relevant mechanisms of immunological tolerance that underlie such approaches, and we also offer some future perspectives for the application of similar methods in certain related disease settings such as transplantation.

TREML4 Promotes Inflammatory Programs in Human and Murine Macrophages and Alters Atherosclerosis Lesion Composition in the Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mouse

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells-like 4 (TREML4) is a member of the TREM receptor family, known modulators of inflammatory responses. We have previously found that TREML4 expression positively correlates with human coronary arterial calcification (CAC). However, the role of TREML4 in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease remains incompletely defined. Since macrophages play a key role in inflammatory conditions, we investigated if activated macrophages selectively expressed TREML4 and found that carriage of either one of the eQTL SNP's previously associated with increased TREML4 expression conferred higher expression in human inflammatory macrophages (M1) compared to alternatively activated macrophages (M2). Furthermore, we found that TREML4 expression in human M1 dysregulated several inflammatory pathways related to leukocyte activation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation. Similarly, murine M1 expressed substantial levels of Treml4, as did oxLDL treated macrophages. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that murine Treml4 controls the expression of genes related to inflammation and lipid regulation pathways, suggesting a possible role in atherosclerosis. Analysis of Apoe-/-/Treml4-/- mice showed reduced plaque burden and lesion complexity as indicated by decreased stage scores, macrophage content and collagen deposition. Finally, transcriptome analysis of oxLDL-loaded murine macrophages showed that Treml4 represses a specific set of genes related to carbohydrate, ion and amino acid membrane transport. Metabolomic analysis confirmed that Treml4 deficiency may promote a beneficial relationship between iron homeostasis and glucose metabolism. Together, our results suggest that Treml4 plays a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, as indicated by Treml4-dependent dysregulation of macrophage inflammatory pathways, macrophage metabolism and promotion of vulnerability features in advanced lesions.

Advancing immunomodulation by in vivo antigen delivery to DEC-205 and other cell surface molecules using recombinant chimeric antibodies

A targeted delivery of defined antigens in vivo allows for the probing of relevant functions of the immune system. Recombinant chimeric antibodies, produced by genetically modifying original monoclonal antibodies specific for molecules expressed on dendritic cells and other immune cells, have paved the way for the development of such strategies and have become reliable tools for achieving a specific immunomodulation. These antibodies have proven important in both basic research and clinical applications, extending data obtained in disease models of autoimmunity and cancer. Here we will describe the advances gained from the experimental and therapeutic strategies based on the targeting of the specific antigens by recombinant chimeric antibodies to the multilectin receptor DEC-205 and other cell surface molecules.

TREML4 mRNA Expression and Polymorphisms in Blood Leukocytes are Associated with Atherosclerotic Lesion Extension in Coronary Artery Disease

Members of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) family are associated with atherosclerosis risk and progression. TREML4 is upregulated in the early phase of acute coronary syndrome. We investigated the relationship between the mRNA expression of 13 genes in blood leukocytes, TREML4 polymorphisms, and coronary artery lesion extension (Friesinger index) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 137). TREML4 rs2803495 (A > G) and rs2803496 (T > C) variants and leukocyte mRNA expression were analysed by qRT-PCR. TREML4 expression was higher in patients with major coronary artery lesions than in subjects without or with low and intermediate lesions (p < 0.05). However, TREML4 polymorphisms were not associated with coronary lesion extent. Presence of the rs2803495 G allele was not associated with increased TREML4 mRNA expression. Patients carrying the rs2803496 C allele (TC/CC genotypes) were more likely to express TREML4 mRNA than non-C allele carriers (allele C: OR 7.3, and 95% CI 1.9–27.5, p = 0.03). In conclusion, increased TREML4 mRNA expression in blood leukocytes is influenced by gene polymorphisms and is associated with more severe coronary artery lesions, suggesting its potential as a biomarker of the extent of coronary lesions in patients with CAD.

The Toll for Trafficking: Toll-Like Receptor 7 Delivery to the Endosome

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 is an endosomal innate immune sensor capable of detecting single-stranded ribonucleic acid. TLR7-mediated induction of type I interferon and other inflammatory cytokine production is important in antiviral immune responses. Furthermore, altered TLR7 expression levels are implicated in various autoimmune disorders, indicating a key role for this receptor in modulating inflammation. This review is focused on the regulation of TLR7 expression and localization compared to that of the other endosomal TLRs: TLR3, 8, and 9. Endosomal TLR localization is a tightly controlled and intricate process with some shared components among various TLRs. However, TLR-specific mechanisms must also be in place in order to regulate the induction of pathogen- and cell-specific responses. It is known that TLR7 is shuttled from the endoplasmic reticulum to the endosome via vesicles from the Golgi. Several chaperone proteins are required for this process, most notably uncoordinated 93 homolog B1 (Caenorhabditis elegans), recently identified to also be involved in the localization of the other endosomal TLRs. Acidification of the endosome and proteolytic cleavage of TLR7 are essential for TLR7 signaling in response to ligand binding. Cleavage of TLR7 has been demonstrated to be accomplished by furin peptidases in addition to cathepsins and asparagine endopeptidases. Moreover, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells like 4, a protein associated with antigen presentation and apoptosis in immune cells, has been implicated in the amplification of TLR7 signaling. Understanding these and other molecular mechanisms controlling TLR7 expression and trafficking will give insight into the specific control of TLR7 activity compared to the other endosomal TLRs.

Dendritic Cells As Inducers of Peripheral Tolerance

Mechanisms of tolerance initiated in the thymus are indispensable for establishing immune homeostasis, but they may not be sufficient to prevent tissue-specific autoimmune diseases. In the periphery, dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial tolerogenic role, extending the maintenance of immune homeostasis and blocking autoimmune responses. We review here these essential roles of DCs in orchestrating mechanisms of peripheral T cell tolerance as determined by targeted delivery of defined antigens to DCs in vivo in combination with various genetic modifications of DCs. Further, we discuss how DC functions empowered by specific delivery of T cell antigens could be harnessed for tolerance induction in clinical settings.

Exome-based Variant Detection in Core Promoters

Core promoter controls the initiation of transcription. Core promoter sequence change can disrupt transcriptional regulation, lead to impairment of gene expression and ultimately diseases. Therefore, comprehensive characterization of core promoters is essential to understand normal and abnormal gene expression in biomedical studies. Here we report the development of EVDC (Exome-based Variant Detection in Core promoters) method for genome-scale analysis of core-promoter sequence variation. This method is based on the fact that exome sequences contain the sequences not only from coding exons but also from non-coding region including core promoters generated by random fragmentation in exome sequencing process. Using exome data from three cell types of CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B cells and neutrophils of a single individual, we characterized the features of core promoter-mapped exome sequences, and analysed core-promoter variation in this individual genome. We also compared the core promoters between YRI (Yoruba in Ibadan, Nigeria) and the CEU (Utah residents of European decedent) populations using the exome data generated by the 1000 Genome project, and observed much higher variation in YRI population than in CEU population. Our study demonstrates that the EVDC method provides a simple but powerful means for genome-wile de novo characterization of core promoter sequence variation.

Distinct Transcriptional Programs Control Cross-Priming in Classical and Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Both classical DCs (cDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) are capable of cross-priming CD8(+) T cells in response to cell-associated antigens. We found that Ly-6C(hi)TREML4(-) monocytes can differentiate into Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs in response to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) but that Ly-6C(hi)TREML4(+) monocytes were committed to differentiate into Ly-6C(lo)TREML4(+) monocytes. Differentiation of Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs capable of efficient cross-priming required both GM-CSF and IL-4 and was accompanied by the induction of Batf3 and Irf4. However, monocytes require IRF4, but not BATF3, to differentiate into Zbtb46(+) Mo-DCs capable of cross-priming CD8(+) T cells. Instead, Irf4(-/-) monocytes differentiate into macrophages in response to GM-CSF and IL-4. Thus, cDCs and Mo-DCs require distinct transcriptional programs of differentiation in acquiring the capacity to prime CD8(+) T cells. These differences may be of consideration in the use of therapeutic DC vaccines based on Mo-DCs.

Double-stranded RNA analog and type I interferon regulate expression of Trem paired receptors in murine myeloid cells

Background

Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (Trem) proteins are a family of cell surface receptors used to control innate immune responses such as proinflammatory cytokine production in mice. Trem genes belong to a rapidly expanding family of receptors that include activating and inhibitory paired-isoforms.

Results

By comparative genomic analysis, we found that Trem4, Trem5 and Trem-like transcript-6 (Treml6) genes typically paired receptors. These paired Trem genes were murine-specific and originated from an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM)-containing gene. Treml6 encoded ITIM, whereas Trem4 and Trem5 lacked the ITIM but possessed positively-charged residues to associate with DNAX activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12). DAP12 was directly associated with Trem4 and Trem5, and DAP12 coupling was mandatory for their expression on the cell surface. In bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and macrophages (BMDMs), and splenic DC subsets, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) followed by type I interferon (IFN) production induced Trem4 and Treml6 whereas polyI:C or other TLR agonists failed to induce the expression of Trem5. PolyI:C induced Treml6 and Trem4 more efficiently in BMDMs than BMDCs. Treml6 was more potentially up-regulated in conventional DC (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DC (pDCs) than Trem4 in mice upon in vivo stimulation with polyI:C.

Discussion

Treml6-dependent inhibitory signal would be dominant in viral infection compared to resting state. Though no direct ligands of these Trem receptors have been determined, the results infer that a set of Trem receptors are up-regulated in response to viral RNA to regulate myeloid cell activation through modulation of DAP12-associated Trem4 and ITIM-containing Treml6.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12865-016-0147-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pros and Cons of Antigen-Presenting Cell Targeted Tumor Vaccines

In therapeutic antitumor vaccination, dendritic cells play the leading role since they decide if, how, when, and where a potent antitumor immune response will take place. Since the disentanglement of the complexity and merit of different antigen-presenting cell subtypes, antitumor immunotherapeutic research started to investigate the potential benefit of targeting these subtypes in situ. This review will discuss which antigen-presenting cell subtypes are at play and how they have been targeted and finally question the true meaning of targeting antitumor-based vaccines.

The receptor TREML4 amplifies TLR7-mediated signaling during antiviral responses and autoimmunity

The molecules and pathways that fine-tune innate inflammatory responses mediated by Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) remain to be fully elucidated. Using an unbiased genome-scale screen with short hairpin RNA (shRNA), we identified the receptor TREML4 as an essential positive regulator of TLR7 signaling. Macrophages from Treml4(-/-) mice were hyporesponsive to TLR7 agonists and failed to produce type I interferons due to impaired phosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT1 by the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 and decreased recruitment of the adaptor MyD88 to TLR7. TREML4 deficiency reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies in MRL/lpr mice, which are prone to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and inhibited the antiviral immune response to influenza virus. Our data identify TREML4 as a positive regulator of TLR7 signaling and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that control antiviral immunity and the development of autoimmunity.

Criteria for dendritic cell receptor selection for efficient antibody-targeted vaccination

Ab-targeted vaccination involves targeting a receptor of choice expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) with Ag-coupled Abs. Currently, there is little consensus as to which criteria determine receptor selection to ensure superior Ag presentation and immunity. In this study, we investigated parameters of DC receptor internalization and determined how they impact Ag presentation outcomes. First, using mixed bone marrow chimeras, we established that Ag-targeted, but not nontargeted, DCs are responsible for Ag presentation in settings of Ab-targeted vaccination in vivo. Next, we analyzed parameters of DEC205 (CD205), Clec9A, CD11c, CD11b, and CD40 endocytosis and obtained quantitative measurements of internalization speed, surface turnover, and delivered Ag load. Exploiting these parameters in MHC class I (MHC I) and MHC class II (MHC II) Ag presentation assays, we showed that receptor expression level, proportion of surface turnover, or speed of receptor internalization did not impact MHC I or MHC II Ag presentation efficiency. Furthermore, the Ag load delivered to DCs did not correlate with the efficiency of MHC I or MHC II Ag presentation. In contrast, targeting Ag to CD8(+) or CD8(-) DCs enhanced MHC I or MHC II Ag presentation, respectively. Therefore, receptor expression levels, speed of internalization, and/or the amount of Ag delivered can be excluded as major determinants that dictate Ag presentation efficiency in setting of Ab-targeted vaccination.

Antigen Presentation by MHC-Dressed Cells

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as conventional dendritic cells (DCs) process protein antigens to MHC-bound peptides and then present the peptide–MHC complexes to T cells. In addition to this canonical antigen presentation pathway, recent studies have revealed that DCs and non-APCs can acquire MHC class I (MHCI) and/or MHC class II (MHCII) from neighboring cells through a process of cell–cell contact-dependent membrane transfer called trogocytosis. These MHC-dressed cells subsequently activate or regulate T cells via the preformed antigen peptide–MHC complexes without requiring any further processing. In addition to trogocytosis, intercellular transfer of MHCI and MHCII can be mediated by secretion of membrane vesicles such as exosomes from APCs, generating MHC-dressed cells. This review focuses on the physiological role of antigen presentation by MHCI- or MHCII-dressed cells, and also discusses differences and similarities between trogocytosis and exosome-mediated transfer of MHC.

Repurposing of bisphosphonates for the prevention and therapy of nonsmall cell lung and breast cancer

A variety of human cancers, including nonsmall cell lung (NSCLC), breast, and colon cancers, are driven by the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Having shown that bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used widely for the therapy of osteoporosis and metastatic bone disease, reduce cancer cell viability by targeting HER1, we explored their potential utility in the prevention and therapy of HER-driven cancers. We show that bisphosphonates inhibit colony formation by HER1(ΔE746-A750)-driven HCC827 NSCLCs and HER1(wt)-expressing MB231 triple negative breast cancers, but not by HER(low)-SW620 colon cancers. In parallel, oral gavage with bisphosphonates of mice xenografted with HCC827 or MB231 cells led to a significant reduction in tumor volume in both treatment and prevention protocols. This result was not seen with mice harboring HER(low) SW620 xenografts. We next explored whether bisphosphonates can serve as adjunctive therapies to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), namely gefitinib and erlotinib, and whether the drugs can target TKI-resistant NSCLCs. In silico docking, together with molecular dynamics and anisotropic network modeling, showed that bisphosphonates bind to TKIs within the HER1 kinase domain. As predicted from this combinatorial binding, bisphosphonates enhanced the effects of TKIs in reducing cell viability and driving tumor regression in mice. Impressively, the drugs also overcame erlotinib resistance acquired through the gatekeeper mutation T790M, thus offering an option for TKI-resistant NSCLCs. We suggest that bisphosphonates can potentially be repurposed for the prevention and adjunctive therapy of HER1-driven cancers.

New approaches to transcutaneous immunotherapy: targeting dendritic cells with novel allergen conjugates

Purpose of review

This review summarizes recent preclinical and human studies evaluating allergen-specific immunotherapy via the transcutaneous route, and provides a rationale for the application of modified allergens with reduced allergenicity. Furthermore, it covers approaches to generate hypoallergenic conjugates for specific dendritic cell targeting.

Recent findings

Efficacy and safety of specific immunotherapy by application of allergens to the skin have been demonstrated in both animal models as well as clinical trials. However, localized adverse events have been reported, and delivery of antigens via barrier-disrupted skin has been linked to the induction of unwanted T helper 2-biased immune responses and allergic sensitization. Coupling of carbohydrates to allergens has been shown to induce formation of nanoparticles, which can specifically target dendritic cells and potentiate immune responses, and by masking B-cell epitopes, can render the molecules hypoallergenic.

Summary

Due to its abundance of immunocompetent cells, the skin represents an attractive target tissue for novel and enhanced immunotherapeutic approaches. However, in order to avoid adverse events and therapy-induced sensitizations, transcutaneous immunotherapy requires the use of formulations with reduced allergenic potential. Combining novel hypoallergenic conjugates with painless transcutaneous immunization techniques may provide an efficient and patient-friendly alternative to the standard specific immunotherapy practices.

Antigen cross-presentation of immune complexes

The ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to cross-present tumor antigens has long been a focus of interest to physicians, as well as basic scientists, that aim to establish efficient cell-based cancer immune therapy. A prerequisite for exploiting this pathway for therapeutic purposes is a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses when initiated by DCs via cross-presentation. The ability of humans DC to perform cross-presentation is of utmost interest, as this cell type is a main target for cell-based immunotherapy in humans. The outcome of a cross-presentation event is guided by the nature of the antigen, the form of antigen uptake, and the subpopulation of DCs that performs presentation. Generally, CD8α⁺ DCs are considered to be the most potent cross-presenting DCs. This paradigm, however, only applies to soluble antigens. During adaptive immune responses, immune complexes form when antibodies interact with their specific epitopes on soluble antigens. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) immune complexes target Fc-gamma receptors on DCs to shuttle exogenous antigens efficiently into the cross-presentation pathway. This receptor-mediated cross-presentation pathway is a well-described route for the induction of strong CD8⁺ T cell responses. IgG-mediated cross-presentation is intriguing because it permits the CD8⁻ DCs, which are commonly considered to be weak cross-presenters, to efficiently cross-present. Engaging multiple DC subtypes for cross-presentation might be a superior strategy to boost CTL responses in vivo. We here summarize our current understanding of how DCs use IgG-complexed antigens for the efficient induction of CTL responses. Because of its importance for human cell therapy, we also review the recent advances in the characterization of cross-presentation properties of human DC subsets.

Differentially expressed transcripts and dysregulated signaling pathways and networks in African American breast cancer

African Americans (AAs) have higher mortality rate from breast cancer than that of Caucasian Americans (CAs) even when socioeconomic factors are accounted for. To better understand the driving biological factors of this health disparity, we performed a comprehensive differential gene expression analysis, including subtype- and stage-specific analysis, using the breast cancer data in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). In total, 674 unique genes and other transcripts were found differentially expressed between these two populations. The numbers of differentially expressed genes between AA and CA patients increased in each stage of tumor progression: there were 26 in stage I, 161 in stage II, and 223 in stage III. Resistin, a gene that is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and breast cancer, was expressed more than four times higher in AA tumors. An uncharacterized, long, non-coding RNA, LOC90784, was down-regulated in AA tumors, and its expression was inversely related to cancer stage and was the lowest in triple negative AA breast tumors. Network analysis showed increased expression of a majority of components in p53 and BRCA1 subnetworks in AA breast tumor samples, and members of the aurora B and polo-like kinase signaling pathways were also highly expressed. Higher gene expression diversity was observed in more advanced stage breast tumors suggesting increased genomic instability during tumor progression. Amplified resistin expression may indicate insulin-resistant type II diabetes and obesity are associated with AA breast cancer. Expression of LOC90784 may have a protective effect on breast cancer patients, and its loss, particularly in triple negative breast cancer, could be having detrimental effects. This work helps elucidate molecular mechanisms of breast cancer health disparity and identifies putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets such as resistin, and the aurora B and polo-like kinase signaling pathways for treating AA breast cancer patients.

Targeting Leishmania major Antigens to Dendritic Cells In Vivo Induces Protective Immunity

Efficient vaccination against the parasite Leishmania major, the causative agent of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, requires development of type 1 T-helper (Th1) CD4⁺ T cell immunity. Because of their unique capacity to initiate and modulate immune responses, dendritic cells (DCs) are attractive targets for development of novel vaccines. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the capacity of a DC-targeted vaccine to induce protective responses against L. major. To this end, we genetically engineered the N-terminal portion of the stress-inducible 1 protein of L. major (LmSTI1a) into anti-DEC205/CD205 (DEC) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and thereby delivered the conjugated protein to DEC⁺ DCs in situ in the intact animal. Delivery of LmSTI1a to adjuvant-matured DCs increased the frequency of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells producing IFN-γ⁺, IL-2⁺, and TNF-α⁺ in two different strains of mice (C57BL/6 and Balb/c), while such responses were not observed with the same doses of a control Ig-LmSTI1a mAb without receptor affinity or with non-targeted LmSTI1a protein. Using a peptide library for LmSTI1a, we identified at least two distinct CD4⁺ T cell mimetopes in each MHC class II haplotype, consistent with the induction of broad immunity. When we compared T cell immune responses generated after targeting DCs with LmSTI1a or other L. major antigens, including LACK (Leishmania receptor for activated C kinase) and LeIF (Leishmania eukaryotic ribosomal elongation and initiation factor 4a), we found that LmSTI1a was superior for generation of IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells, which correlated with higher protection of susceptible Balb/c mice to a challenge with L. major. For the first time, this study demonstrates the potential of a DC-targeted vaccine as a novel approach for cutaneous leishmaniasis, an increasing public health concern that has no currently available effective treatment.

Specialized role of migratory dendritic cells in peripheral tolerance induction

Harnessing DCs for immunotherapies in vivo requires the elucidation of the physiological role of distinct DC populations. Migratory DCs traffic from peripheral tissues to draining lymph nodes charged with tissue self antigens. We hypothesized that these DC populations have a specialized role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, specifically, to generate suppressive Foxp3+ Tregs. To examine the differential capacity of migratory DCs versus blood-derived lymphoid-resident DCs for Treg generation in vivo, we targeted a self antigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, using antibodies against cell surface receptors differentially expressed in these DC populations. Using this approach together with mouse models that lack specific DC populations, we found that migratory DCs have a superior ability to generate Tregs in vivo, which in turn drastically improve the outcome of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These results provide a rationale for the development of novel therapies targeting migratory DCs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Expression of the zinc finger transcription factor zDC (Zbtb46, Btbd4) defines the classical dendritic cell lineage

Classical dendritic cells (cDCs), monocytes, and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) arise from a common bone marrow precursor (macrophage and DC progenitors [MDPs]) and express many of the same surface markers, including CD11c. We describe a previously uncharacterized zinc finger transcription factor, zDC (Zbtb46, Btbd4), which is specifically expressed by cDCs and committed cDC precursors but not by monocytes, pDCs, or other immune cell populations. We inserted diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor (DTR) cDNA into the 3' UTR of the zDC locus to serve as an indicator of zDC expression and as a means to specifically deplete cDCs. Mice bearing this knockin express DTR in cDCs but not other immune cell populations, and DT injection into zDC-DTR bone marrow chimeras results in cDC depletion. In contrast to previously characterized CD11c-DTR mice, non-cDCs, including pDCs, monocytes, macrophages, and NK cells, were spared after DT injection in zDC-DTR mice. We compared immune responses to Toxoplasma gondii and MO4 melanoma in DT-treated zDC- and CD11c-DTR mice and found that immunity was only partially impaired in zDC-DTR mice. Our results indicate that CD11c-expressing non-cDCs make significant contributions to initiating immunity to parasites and tumors.