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Yao Y, Wang H, Xu Y, Zhang L, Liu R. scRNA+TCR+BCR-seq revealed the proportions and gene expression patterns of dual receptor T and B lymphocytes in NPC and NLH. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 709:149820. [PMID: 38547605 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
While the relationship between single receptor lymphocytes and cancer has been deeply researched, the origin and biological roles of dual receptor lymphocytes in tumor microenvironment (TME) remain largely unknown. And since nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of cancer closely associated with immune infiltration, studying the TME of NPC holds particular significance. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing combined with T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing (scRNA + TCR + BCR-seq), we analyzed data from 7 patients with NPC and 3 patients with nasopharyngeal lymphatic hyperplasia (NLH). In our research, it was firstly found that the presence of dual receptor lymphocytes in both the TME of NPC and the inflammatory environment of NLH. We also confirmed their clonal expansion, suggesting their potential involvement in the immune response. Subsequently, we further discovered the lineage and the pairing characteristics. It was found that the dual receptor lymphocytes in NPC and NLH mainly originate from memory cells, and the predominant pairing type for dual TCR was β+α1+α2 and dual BCR was heavy+κ+λ. By further analyzing their gene expression, we compared the function of dual receptor cells with single receptor cells in the context of both NPC and NLH. This groundbreaking research has enhanced our comprehension of the features of dual-receptor cells and has contributed to a better understanding of the TME in NPC. By comparing with NLH, it illuminates part of the alterations in the process of malignant transformation in NPC. These findings present the potential to acquire improved diagnostic markers and treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Yao
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hengyu Wang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Immunology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Li Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Renping Liu
- Department of Immunology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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2
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Morgan MA, Galla M, Grez M, Fehse B, Schambach A. Retroviral gene therapy in Germany with a view on previous experience and future perspectives. Gene Ther 2021; 28:494-512. [PMID: 33753908 PMCID: PMC8455336 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00237-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy can be used to restore cell function in monogenic disorders or to endow cells with new capabilities, such as improved killing of cancer cells, expression of suicide genes for controlled elimination of cell populations, or protection against chemotherapy or viral infection. While gene therapies were originally most often used to treat monogenic diseases and to improve hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcome, the advent of genetically modified immune cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells, has contributed to the increased numbers of patients treated with gene and cell therapies. The advancement of gene therapy with integrating retroviral vectors continues to depend upon world-wide efforts. As the topic of this special issue is "Spotlight on Germany," the goal of this review is to provide an overview of contributions to this field made by German clinical and research institutions. Research groups in Germany made, and continue to make, important contributions to the development of gene therapy, including design of vectors and transduction protocols for improved cell modification, methods to assess gene therapy vector efficacy and safety (e.g., clonal imbalance, insertion sites), as well as in the design and conduction of clinical gene therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Morgan
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuel Grez
- grid.418483.20000 0001 1088 7029Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDivision of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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3
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Bystander T Cells: A Balancing Act of Friends and Foes. Trends Immunol 2018; 39:1021-1035. [PMID: 30413351 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
T cell responses are essential for appropriate protection against pathogens. T cell immunity is achieved through the ability to discriminate between foreign and self-molecules, and this relies heavily on stringent T cell receptor (TCR) specificity. Recently, bystander activated T lymphocytes, that are specific for unrelated epitopes during an antigen-specific response, have been implicated in diverse diseases. Numerous infection models have challenged the classic dogma of T cell activation as being solely dependent on TCR and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) interactions, indicating an unappreciated role for pathogen-associated receptors on T cells. We discuss here the specific roles of bystander activated T cells in pathogenesis, shedding light on the ability of these cells to modulate disease severity independently from TCR recognition.
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4
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Kallikourdis M. T cell responses to tumor: how dominant assumptions on immune activity led to a neglect of pathological functions, and how evolutionary considerations can help identify testable hypotheses for improving immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:989-998. [PMID: 29335855 PMCID: PMC11028068 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is based on the premise that activated, pro-inflammatory T cell responses to tumor will mostly combat tumor growth. Nowadays accepted as largely valid, this hypothesis has been formed as a result of extensive theoretical and experimental argumentation on the inherent function of the immune system and the nature of the immunological self, dating back to the foundations of immunology. These arguments have also been affected by how current working hypotheses were set by researchers, an issue that has been the focus of study by medical anthropologists. As a result of these processes, cancer immunotherapy has developed into a truly promising anti-cancer strategy, with very substantial benefits in clinical outcomes. However, as immunotherapy still has large margins for improvement, a more thorough examination of both the historical background and evolutionary context of current assumptions for how the immune system responds to cancer can help reveal novel, testable questions. We describe how attempting to answer some of these questions experimentally, such as identifying the contributors of tumor-associated fibrosis, has led to potentially useful insights on how to improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinos Kallikourdis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20089, Milano, Italy.
- Adaptive Immunity Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milano, Italy.
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5
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Xin G, Schauder DM, Zander R, Cui W. Two is better than one: advances in pathogen-boosted immunotherapy and adoptive T-cell therapy. Immunotherapy 2017; 9:837-849. [PMID: 28877635 PMCID: PMC5941714 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent tremendous successes in clinical trials take cancer immunotherapy into a new era and have attracted major attention from both academia and industry. Among the variety of immunotherapy strategies developed to boost patients' own immune systems to fight against malignant cells, the pathogen-based and adoptive cell transfer therapies have shown the most promise for treating multiple types of cancer. Pathogen-based therapies could either break the immune tolerance to enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines or directly infect and kill cancer cells. Adoptive cell transfer can induce a strong durable antitumor response, with recent advances including engineering dual specificity into T cells to recognize multiple antigens and improving the metabolic fitness of transferred cells. In this review, we focus on the recent prospects in these two areas and summarize some ongoing studies that represent potential advancements for anticancer immunotherapy, including testing combinations of these two strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xin
- Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, 8727 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA
| | - David M Schauder
- Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, 8727 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ryan Zander
- Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, 8727 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin, 8727 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 West Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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6
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Reuß S, Sebestyén Z, Heinz N, Loew R, Baum C, Debets R, Uckert W. TCR-engineered T cells: a model of inducible TCR expression to dissect the interrelationship between two TCRs. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:265-74. [PMID: 24114521 PMCID: PMC4209802 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
TCR gene modified T cells for adoptive therapy simultaneously express the Tg TCR and the endogenous TCR, which might lead to mispaired TCRs with harmful unknown specificity and to a reduced function of TCR-Tg T cells. We generated dual TCR T cells in two settings in which either TCR was constitutively expressed by a retroviral promoter while the second TCR expression was regulable by a Tet-on system. Constitutively expressed TCR molecules were reduced on the cell surface depending on the induced TCR expression leading to strongly hampered function. Besides that, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer we detected mispaired TCR dimers and different pairing behaviors of individual TCR chains with a mutual influence on TCR chain expression. The loss of function and mispairing could not be avoided by changing the TCR expression level or by introduction of an additional cysteine bridge. However, in polyclonal T cells, optimized TCR formats (cysteineization, codon optimization) enhanced correct pairing and function. We conclude from our data that (i) the level of mispairing depends on the individual TCRs and is not reduced by increasing the level of one TCR, and (ii) modifications (cysteineization, codon optimization) improve correct pairing but do not completely exclude mispairing (cysteineization).
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Reuß
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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7
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Soto CM, Stone JD, Chervin AS, Engels B, Schreiber H, Roy EJ, Kranz DM. MHC-class I-restricted CD4 T cells: a nanomolar affinity TCR has improved anti-tumor efficacy in vivo compared to the micromolar wild-type TCR. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 62:359-69. [PMID: 22926060 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Clinical studies with immunotherapies for cancer, including adoptive cell transfers of T cells, have shown promising results. It is now widely believed that recruitment of CD4(+) helper T cells to the tumor would be favorable, as CD4(+) cells play a pivotal role in cytokine secretion as well as promoting the survival, proliferation, and effector functions of tumor-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Genetically engineered high-affinity T-cell receptors (TCRs) can be introduced into CD4(+) helper T cells to redirect them to recognize MHC-class I-restricted antigens, but it is not clear what affinity of the TCR will be optimal in this approach. Here, we show that CD4(+) T cells expressing a high-affinity TCR (nanomolar K (d) value) against a class I tumor antigen mediated more effective tumor treatment than the wild-type affinity TCR (micromolar K (d) value). High-affinity TCRs in CD4(+) cells resulted in enhanced survival and long-term persistence of effector memory T cells in a melanoma tumor model. The results suggest that TCRs with nanomolar affinity could be advantageous for tumor targeting when expressed in CD4(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina M Soto
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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8
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Han H, Peng JR, Chen PC, Gong L, Qiao SS, Wang WZ, Cui ZQ, Yu X, Wei YH, Leng XS. A novel system of artificial antigen-presenting cells efficiently stimulates Flu peptide-specific cytotoxic T cells in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 411:530-5. [PMID: 21756876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.06.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic numbers of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key effectors in successful adoptive immunotherapy. However, efficient and reproducible methods to meet the qualification remain poor. To address this issue, we designed the artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). A modified emulsion method was used for the preparation of PLGA particles encapsulating interleukin-2 (IL-2). Biotinylated molecular ligands for recognition and co-stimulation of T cells were attached to the particle surface through the binding of avidin-biotin. These formed the aAPC system. The function of aAPCs in the proliferation of specific CTLs against human Flu antigen was detected by enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and MTT staining methods. Finally, we successfully prepared this suitable aAPC system. The results show that IL-2 is released from aAPCs in a sustained manner over 30 days. This dramatically improves the stimulatory capacity of this system as compared to the effect of exogenous addition of cytokine. In addition, our aAPCs promote the proliferation of Flu antigen-specific CTLs more effectively than the autologous cellular APCs. Here, this aAPC platform is proved to be suitable for expansion of human antigen-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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9
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Ferrara J, Reddy P, Paczesny S. Immunotherapy through T-cell receptor gene transfer induces severe graft-versus-host disease. Immunotherapy 2011; 2:791-4. [PMID: 21091111 DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of: Bendle GM, Linnemann C, Hooijkaas AI et al.: Lethal graft-versus-host disease in mouse models of T cell receptor gene therapy. Nat. Med. 16(5), 565-570 (2010). Graft-versus-host disease is commonly associated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, as it is the major complication. This article reports that, after immunotherapy with lymphocytes that have been transduced with T-cell receptor (TCR) genes of known specificity, graft-versus-host disease can occur through TCR gene transfer. This autoimmune pathology occurs through the formation of self-reactive TCRs as a result of one chain of the transduced TCR cross-pairing with an endogenous TCR. Certain adjustments in the design of gene therapy vectors may help reduce the risk of such autoimmune phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Ferrara
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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10
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Ribas A, Koya RC. Adoptive cell transfer of T-cell receptor-engineered lymphocytes: lessons from recent modeling. Future Oncol 2011; 6:1671-3. [PMID: 21142653 DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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11
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Yi H, Yu X, Guo C, Manjili MH, Repasky EA, Wang XY. Adoptive cell therapy of prostate cancer using female mice-derived T cells that react with prostate antigens. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2011; 60:349-60. [PMID: 21088965 PMCID: PMC3042529 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0939-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 10/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we report a novel treatment strategy that could potentially be used to improve efficacy of adoptive cell therapy for patients with prostate cancer. We show that female C57BL/6 mice are able to effectively reject two syngeneic prostate tumors (TRAMP-C2 and RM1) in a T cell-dependent manner. The protective antitumor immunity appears to primarily involve T cell responses reactive against general prostate tumor/tissue antigens, rather than simply to male-specific H-Y antigen. For the first time we show that adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from TRAMP-C2-primed or naïve female mice effectively control prostate tumor growth in male mice, when combined with host pre-conditioning (i.e., non-myeloablative lymphodepletion) and IL-2 administration. No pathological autoimmune response was observed in the treated tumor-bearing male mice. Our studies provide new insights regarding the immune-mediated recognition of male-specific tissue, such as the prostate, and may offer new immunotherapy treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanfa Yi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Xiaofei Yu
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Chunqing Guo
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Masoud H. Manjili
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | | | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
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12
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Klages K, Mayer CT, Lahl K, Loddenkemper C, Teng MWL, Ngiow SF, Smyth MJ, Hamann A, Huehn J, Sparwasser T. Selective depletion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells improves effective therapeutic vaccination against established melanoma. Cancer Res 2010; 70:7788-99. [PMID: 20924102 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-bearing individuals have been reported to harbor increased numbers of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), which prevent the development of efficient antitumor immune responses. Thus, Treg depletion has already been tested as a promising therapeutic approach in various animal models and entered clinical trials. However, the use of nonspecific Treg targeting agents such as CD25 depleting antibodies, which in addition to CD25(+) Tregs also deplete recently activated CD25(+) effector T cells, potentially masked the tremendous potential of this therapeutic strategy. To avoid such nonspecific effects, we used transgenic DEREG (depletion of regulatory T cells) mice, which express a diphtheria toxin receptor under control of the Foxp3 locus, allowing selective depletion of Foxp3(+) Tregs even during ongoing immune responses. We showed that Foxp3(+) Treg depletion induced partial regression of established ovalbumin (OVA)-expressing B16 melanoma, which was associated with an increased intratumoral accumulation of activated CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells. The antitumor effect could be significantly enhanced when Treg depletion was combined with vaccination against OVA. To further assess whether this therapeutic approach would break self-tolerance, we crossed DEREG mice with RipOVA(low) mice, expressing OVA as neo-self-antigen under control of the rat insulin promoter. In these mice, combined Treg depletion and vaccination also induced tumor regression without the onset of diabetes. Together, our data suggest that selective Treg targeting strategies combined with vaccinations against tumor-associated (self) antigens have the potential to evoke efficient antitumor responses without inducing overt autoimmunity. These findings might have implications for future therapeutic interventions in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katjana Klages
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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13
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Moxley KM, Golden-Mason L, Hughes MG, Liu T, Heemskerk MHM, Rosen HR, Nishimura MI. Transduction of human T cells with a novel T-cell receptor confers anti-HCV reactivity. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1001018. [PMID: 20686664 PMCID: PMC2912399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health concern, with no effective vaccines currently available and 3% of the world's population being infected. Despite the existence of both B- and T-cell immunity in HCV-infected patients, chronic viral infection and HCV-related malignancies progress. Here we report the identification of a novel HCV TCR from an HLA-A2-restricted, HCV NS3:1073-1081-reactive CTL clone isolated from a patient with chronic HCV infection. We characterized this HCV TCR by expressing it in human T cells and analyzed the function of the resulting HCV TCR-transduced cells. Our results indicate that both the HCV TCR-transduced CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells recognized the HCV NS3:1073-1081 peptide-loaded targets and HCV(+) hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC) in a polyfunctional manner with cytokine (IFN-gamma, IL-2, and TNF-alpha) production as well as cytotoxicity. Tumor cell recognition by HCV TCR transduced CD8(-) Jurkat cells and CD4(+) PBL-derived T cells indicated this TCR was CD8-independent, a property consistent with other high affinity TCRs. HCV TCR-transduced T cells may be promising for the treatment of patients with chronic HCV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yeuying Liu
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kelly M. Moxley
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Lucy Golden-Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center & Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Michael G. Hughes
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tongxin Liu
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hugo R. Rosen
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Hepatitis C Center & Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Michael I. Nishimura
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
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14
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Adoptive therapy with T cell receptor- (TCR-) redirected T cells has shown efficacy in mouse tumor models and first responses in cancer patients. One prerequisite to elicit effective anti-tumor reactivity is the transfer of high-avidity T cells. Their generation, however, faces several technical difficulties. Target antigens are often expressed at low levels and their recognition requires the use of high-affine receptors. Yet, mainly low-affinity TCRs have been isolated from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Furthermore, upon transfer into a T cell the introduced receptor has to compete with the endogenous TCR. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW This review discusses how the functional avidity of TCR-modified T cells can be enhanced by i) increasing the amount of introduced TCR heterodimers on the cell surface; and ii) generating receptors with high affinity. Risks of TCR gene therapy and possible safety mechanisms are discussed. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The reader will gain an overview of the technical developments in TCR and T cell engineering. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Despite technical obstacles, many advances have been made in the generation of high-avidity T cells expressing enhanced TCRs. Mouse studies and clinical trials will evaluate the effect of these improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Kieback
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, D-13092 Berlin, Germany
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15
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Coexpression of the T-cell receptor constant α domain triggers tumor reactivity of single-chain TCR-transduced human T cells. Blood 2010; 115:5154-63. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-11-254078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Transfer of tumor antigen–specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) into human T cells aims at redirecting their cytotoxicity toward tumors. Efficacy and safety may be affected by pairing of natural and introduced TCRα/β chains potentially leading to autoimmunity. We hypothesized that a novel single-chain (sc)TCR framework relying on the coexpression of the TCRα constant α (Cα) domain would prevent undesired pairing while preserving structural and functional similarity to a fully assembled double-chain (dc)TCR/CD3 complex. We confirmed this hypothesis for a murine p53-specific scTCR. Substantial effector function was observed only in the presence of a murine Cα domain preceded by a TCRα signal peptide for shuttling to the cell membrane. The generalization to a human gp100-specific TCR required the murinization of both C domains. Structural and functional T-cell avidities of an accessory disulfide-linked scTCR gp100/Cα were higher than those of a dcTCR. Antigen-dependent phosphorylation of the proximal effector ζ-chain–associated protein kinase 70 at tyrosine 319 was not impaired, reflecting its molecular integrity in signaling. In melanoma-engrafted nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice, adoptive transfer of scTCR gp100/Cα transduced T cells conferred superior delay in tumor growth among primary and long-term secondary tumor challenges. We conclude that the novel scTCR constitutes a reliable means to immunotherapeutically target hematologic malignancies.
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16
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Bendle GM, Linnemann C, Hooijkaas AI, Bies L, de Witte MA, Jorritsma A, Kaiser ADM, Pouw N, Debets R, Kieback E, Uckert W, Song JY, Haanen JBAG, Schumacher TNM. Lethal graft-versus-host disease in mouse models of T cell receptor gene therapy. Nat Med 2010; 16:565-70, 1p following 570. [PMID: 20400962 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The transfer of T cell receptor (TCR) genes can be used to induce immune reactivity toward defined antigens to which endogenous T cells are insufficiently reactive. This approach, which is called TCR gene therapy, is being developed to target tumors and pathogens, and its clinical testing has commenced in patients with cancer. In this study we show that lethal cytokine-driven autoimmune pathology can occur in mouse models of TCR gene therapy under conditions that closely mimic the clinical setting. We show that the pairing of introduced and endogenous TCR chains in TCR gene-modified T cells leads to the formation of self-reactive TCRs that are responsible for the observed autoimmunity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that adjustments in the design of gene therapy vectors and target T cell populations can be used to reduce the risk of TCR gene therapy-induced autoimmune pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin M Bendle
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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17
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Kammertoens T, Blankenstein T. Making and circumventing tolerance to cancer. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:2345-53. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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18
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Uckert W, Schumacher TNM. TCR transgenes and transgene cassettes for TCR gene therapy: status in 2008. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2009; 58:809-22. [PMID: 19189103 PMCID: PMC11030292 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0649-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Revised: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 12/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The genetic introduction of T cell receptor genes into T cells has been developed over the past decade as a strategy to induce defined antigen-specific T cell immunity. With the potential value of TCR gene therapy well-established in murine models and the feasibility of infusion of TCR-modified autologous T cells shown in a first phase I trial, the next key step will be to transform TCR gene transfer from an experimental technique into a robust clinical strategy. In this review, we discuss the different properties of the TCR transgene and transgene cassette that can strongly affect both the efficacy and the safety of TCR gene transfer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/etiology
- Autoimmune Diseases/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/prevention & control
- Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic/statistics & numerical data
- Codon/genetics
- Dimerization
- Feasibility Studies
- Genes, Synthetic
- Genes, Transgenic, Suicide
- Genetic Therapy/adverse effects
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Genetic Vectors/adverse effects
- Genetic Vectors/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- MART-1 Antigen
- Melanoma/immunology
- Melanoma/secondary
- Melanoma/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Proteins/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Species Specificity
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/transplantation
- Transgenes
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Uckert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Max-Delbrück-Center of Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13092 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ton N. M. Schumacher
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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19
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Ney JT, Schmidt T, Kurts C, Zhou Q, Eckert D, Felsher DW, Schorle H, Knolle P, Tüting T, Barchet W, Büttner R, Limmer A, Gütgemann I. Autochthonous liver tumors induce systemic T cell tolerance associated with T cell receptor down-modulation. Hepatology 2009; 49:471-81. [PMID: 19105207 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The reason the adaptive immune system fails in advanced liver tumors is largely unclear. To address this question, we have developed a novel murine model that combines c-myc-induced autochthonous tumorigenesis with expression of a cognate antigen, ovalbumin (OVA). When c-myc/OVA transgenic mice were crossed with liver-specific inducer mice, multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas co-expressing OVA developed in a tetracycline-dependent manner with a short latency and 100% penetrance. Transferred OVA-specific T cells, although infiltrating the tumor at high numbers, were hyporesponsive, as evidenced by a lack of in vivo cytotoxicity and interferon gamma production. This allowed the tumor to progress even in the presence of large numbers of antigen-specific T cells and even after vaccination (OVA+CpG-DNA). Interestingly, T cell receptor down-modulation was observed, which may explain antigen-specific hyporesponsiveness. This model is helpful in understanding liver cancer-specific mechanisms of T cell tolerance and dissection of antigen-specific and nonspecific mechanisms of immunotherapies in the preclinical phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin T Ney
- Department of Pathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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20
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Leisegang M, Engels B, Meyerhuber P, Kieback E, Sommermeyer D, Xue SA, Reuss S, Stauss H, Uckert W. Enhanced functionality of T cell receptor-redirected T cells is defined by the transgene cassette. J Mol Med (Berl) 2008; 86:573-83. [PMID: 18335188 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-008-0317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 01/21/2008] [Accepted: 01/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The transfer of T cell receptor (TCR) genes allows to endow T cells with a new antigen specificity. For clinical applications of TCR-redirected T cells, efficient functional expression of the transgenic TCR is a key prerequisite. Here, we compared the influence of the transgene cassette on the expression and function of the murine TCR P14 (recognizing a LCMV gp33 epitope) and the human TCR WT-1 (recognizing an epitope of the tumor-associated antigen WT-1). We constructed different vectors, in which TCRalpha- and beta-chain genes were either (a) linked by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES), (b) combined by a 2A peptide, or (c) introduced into two individual retroviral constructs. While in a TCR-deficient T cell line TCR P14 was expressed equally well by all constructs, we found that IRES- but not 2A-employing TCR expression is hampered in a TCR-bearing cell line and in primary murine T cells where the transgenic TCR has to compete with endogenous TCR chains. Similarly, 2A-linked TCR WT-1 genes yielded highest expression and function as measured by tetramer binding and peptide-specific IFN-gamma secretion. Differences in expression were independent of copy number integration as shown by real-time PCR. Thus, linking TCRalpha- and beta-chain genes by a 2A peptide is superior to an IRES for TCR expression and T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Leisegang
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
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