1
|
Qie Y, Gadd ME, Shao Q, To T, Liu A, Li S, Rivera‐Valentin R, Yassine F, Murthy HS, Dronca R, Kharfan‐Dabaja MA, Qin H, Luo Y. Targeting chronic lymphocytic leukemia with B-cell activating factor receptor CAR T cells. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e716. [PMID: 39224539 PMCID: PMC11366826 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The challenge of disease relapsed/refractory (R/R) remains a therapeutic hurdle in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, especially for hematological diseases, with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) being particularly resistant to CD19 CAR T cells. Currently, there is no approved CAR T-cell therapy for CLL patients. In this study, we aimed to address this unmet medical need by choosing the B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) as a promising target for CAR design against CLL. BAFF-R is essential for B-cell survival and is consistently expressed on CLL tumors. Our research discovered that BAFF-R CAR T-cell therapy exerted the cytotoxic effects on both CLL cell lines and primary B cells derived from CLL patients. In addition, the CAR T cells exhibited cytotoxicity against CD19-knockout CLL cells that are resistant to CD19 CAR T therapy. Furthermore, we were able to generate BAFF-R CAR T cells from small blood samples collected from CLL patients and then demonstrated the cytotoxic effects of these patient-derived CAR T cells against autologous tumor cells. Given these promising results, BAFF-R CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to meet the long-standing need for an effective treatment on CLL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Qie
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Martha E. Gadd
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Qing Shao
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Tommy To
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Andrew Liu
- Department of Cancer BiologyMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Shuhua Li
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Rocio Rivera‐Valentin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology‑OncologyUniversity of Florida‐JacksonvilleJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Farah Yassine
- Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyDepartment of Internal MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Hemant S. Murthy
- Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyDepartment of Internal MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Roxana Dronca
- Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyDepartment of Internal MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Mohamed A. Kharfan‐Dabaja
- Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyDepartment of Internal MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Hong Qin
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
- Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyDepartment of Internal MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Yan Luo
- Regenerative Immunotherapy and CAR‐T Translational Research ProgramMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Clar KL, Weber LM, Schmied BJ, Heitmann JS, Marconato M, Tandler C, Schneider P, Salih HR. Receptor Activator of NF-κB (RANK) Confers Resistance to Chemotherapy in AML and Associates with Dismal Disease Course. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236122. [PMID: 34885231 PMCID: PMC8657109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults. Despite the emergence of new therapeutic agents in recent years, curation remains challenging, and new and better treatment options are needed. In the present study, we investigated the expression, prognostic significance, and functional role of the Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB (RANK) in AML. We found that RANK is expressed on leukemic cells in a substantial proportion of AML patients and is associated with a dismal disease course. We further demonstrated that signaling via RANK induces release of factors that favor AML cell survival and confers resistance to chemotherapeutics in AML treatment. Together, our findings identify RANK as novel prognostic marker and putative candidate for therapeutic intervention in AML to enhance response to treatment. Abstract Although treatment options of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved over the recent years, prognosis remains poor. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms influencing and predicting treatment efficacy may improve disease control and outcome. Here we studied the expression, prognostic relevance and functional role of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB (RANK) in AML. We conducted an experimental ex vivo study using leukemic cells of 54 AML patients. Substantial surface expression of RANK was detected on primary AML cells in 35% of the analyzed patients. We further found that RANK signaling induced the release of cytokines acting as growth and survival factors for the leukemic cells and mediated resistance of AML cells to treatment with doxorubicin and cytarabine, the most commonly used cytostatic compounds in AML treatment. In line, RANK expression correlated with a dismal disease course as revealed by reduced overall survival. Together, our results show that RANK plays a yet unrecognized role in AML pathophysiology and resistance to treatment, and identify RANK as “functional” prognostic marker in AML. Therapeutic modulation of RANK holds promise to improve treatment response in AML patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim L. Clar
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lisa M. Weber
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Bastian J. Schmied
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S. Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Maddalena Marconato
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Claudia Tandler
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Pascal Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland;
| | - Helmut R. Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (K.L.C.); (L.M.W.); (B.J.S.); (J.S.H.); (M.M.); (C.T.)
- DFG Cluster of Excellence 2180 “Image-Guided and Functional Instructed Tumor Therapy (iFIT)”, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7071-29-83275
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li G, Zhang Q, Liu Z, Shen H, Zhu Y, Zhou Z, Ding W, Han S, Zhou J, Ou R, Luo M, Liu S. TriBAFF-CAR-T cells eliminate B-cell malignancies with BAFFR-expression and CD19 antigen loss. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:223. [PMID: 33865370 PMCID: PMC8052726 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the effect of TriBAFF-CAR-T cells on hematological tumor cells. Methods TriBAFF-CAR-T and CD19-CAR-T cells were co-cultured with BAFFR-bearing B-cell malignancies at different effector/target ratios to evaluate the anti-tumor effects. In vivo, TriBAFF-CAR-T and CD19-CAR-T cells were intravenously injected into Raji-luciferase xenograft mice. CD19 antigens losing lymphoblasts was simulated by Raji knocking out CD19 (CD19KO) to investigate the effect of TriBAFF-CAR-T cells on CD19KO Raji. Results Both TriBAFF-CAR-T and CD19-CAR-T cells significantly induced the lysis of Raji, BALL-1, and Jeko-1. Moreover, when CD19-CAR-T cells specifically caused the lysis of K562 with overexpressed CD19, the lethal effect of TriBAFF-CAR-T cells was also specific for BAFFR-bearing K562 with increasing levels of interleukin-2 and INF-γ. The TriBAFF-CAR-T have the same effect with CD19-CAR-T cells in treating Raji xenofraft mice. TriBAFF-CAR-T cells also have great effect in CD19KO Raji cells. Conclusions In this study, we successfully constructed novel TriBAFF-CAR-T cells to eliminate BAFFR-bearing and CD19 antigen loss in hematological tumor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangchao Li
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China.,Guangzhou Bio-gene Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510530, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China
| | - Huijuan Shen
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China
| | - Yangmin Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China
| | - Zhao Zhou
- Guangzhou Bio-gene Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510530, China
| | - Wen Ding
- Guangzhou Bio-gene Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510530, China
| | - Siqi Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Clinical School of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210002, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Hematology, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan Province, 618000, China
| | - Ruiming Ou
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China. .,Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Xin Gang Zhong Road 466#, Haizhu Distict, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China.
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China. .,Guangzhou Bio-gene Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510530, China. .,Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Xin Gang Zhong Road 466#, Haizhu Distict, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China.
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China. .,Department of Hematology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Xin Gang Zhong Road 466#, Haizhu Distict, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510317, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sevdali E, Katsantoni E, Smulski CR, Moschovi M, Palassopoulou M, Kolokotsa EN, Argentou N, Giannakoulas N, Adamaki M, Vassilopoulos G, Polychronopoulou S, Germenis AE, Eibel H, Speletas M. BAFF/APRIL System Is Functional in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Disease Subtype Manner. Front Oncol 2019; 9:594. [PMID: 31380267 PMCID: PMC6657364 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BAFF, APRIL and their receptors regulate the survival, maturation and homeostasis of mature B-cells. Despite the lack of a functional role of BAFF/APRIL system during normal early B-cell development, previous studies indicated a contribution of these molecules in the pathogenesis of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Here, we evaluated the expression of this system in B-ALL and its involvement in spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis of B-lymphoblasts, taking into consideration the distinct disease subtypes. We found that BAFFR is the most predominant aberrantly expressed receptor in B-ALL and that its expression, along with BCMA and APRIL, positively correlates with the maturation stage of B-lymphoblasts. Moreover, the binding of the E2A-PBX1 chimeric protein to the BAFFR promoter suggests that the transcriptional activator promotes the increase in BAFFR expression observed in about 50% of pre-B-ALL patients carrying the t (1, 19) translocation. BAFF binding to BAFFR led to the processing of NF-κB2 p100 in pre-B ALL cells suggesting that BAFFR can activate the NF-κB2 pathway in pre-B ALL cells. Surprisingly, we found that BAFF treatment promotes the cell death of primary BCR-ABL+ BAFFR+ pre-B-lymphoblasts in adult B-ALL. It also enhances glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in the E2A-PBX1+ pre-B-ALL cell line 697. These data suggest that BAFF/BAFFR signaling in B-ALL cells differs from normal B cells and that it may affect the pathogenesis of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Sevdali
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eleni Katsantoni
- Basic Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Cristian R. Smulski
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Maria Moschovi
- Hematology/Oncology Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Palassopoulou
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eleni-Nefeli Kolokotsa
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikoletta Argentou
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Giannakoulas
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Adamaki
- Hematology/Oncology Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Vassilopoulos
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sophia Polychronopoulou
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios E. Germenis
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Hermann Eibel
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Matthaios Speletas
- Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vicioso Y, Gram H, Beck R, Asthana A, Zhang K, Wong DP, Letterio J, Parameswaran R. Combination Therapy for Treating Advanced Drug-Resistant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1106-1119. [PMID: 31138521 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Drug-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients do not respond to standard chemotherapy, and an urgent need exists to develop new treatment strategies. Our study exploited the presence of B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) on the surface of drug-resistant B-ALL cells as a therapeutic target. We used anti-BAFF-R (VAY736), optimized for natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), to kill drug-resistant ALL cells. VAY736 antibody and NK cell treatments significantly decreased ALL disease burden and provided survival benefit in vivo However, if the disease was advanced, the ADCC efficacy of NK cells was inhibited by microenvironmental transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ). Inhibiting TGFβ signaling in NK cells using the TGFβ receptor 1 (R1) inhibitor (EW-7197) significantly enhanced VAY736-induced NK cell-mediated ALL killing. Our results highlight the potential of using a combination of VAY736 antibody with EW-7197 to treat advance-stage, drug-resistant B-ALL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yorleny Vicioso
- Department of pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Hermann Gram
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rose Beck
- Department of pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Pathology, University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Abhishek Asthana
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Keman Zhang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Derek P Wong
- Department of pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - John Letterio
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.,Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Reshmi Parameswaran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. .,The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Molecular structure, expression, and bioactivity of B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and its receptor BAFF-R in cats (Felis catus). Mol Immunol 2019; 112:59-71. [PMID: 31078117 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
B-cell survival depends on signals induced by binding of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) to its receptor (BAFF-R). In this study, the full-length cDNAs of cat BAFF (cBAFF) and BAFF-R (cBAFF-R) were amplified from the spleen by reverse transcription PCR. The open reading frame of cBAFF cDNA encodes a protein of 285 amino acids containing a predicted transmembrane domain and a furin protease cleavage site, similar to mammalian, avian, and reptile BAFFs. The cBAFF-R gene encodes a 189 amino acid protein. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses revealed that the two genes are predominantly expressed in the spleen. csBAFF, EGFP/csBAFF, and cBAFF-R were efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), as confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analyses. After purification, the EGFP/csBAFF fusion protein showed a fluorescence spectrum similar to that of EGFP. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that EGFP/csBAFF bound to its receptor. In vitro, csBAFF promoted the survival of cat and mouse splenic B cells with/without a priming agent (Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1, SAC) or anti-mouse IgM. Furthermore, it stimulated the survival of mouse B cells, similar to msBAFF. Recombinant cBAFF-R blocked the function of sBAFF in vitro. These findings indicate that csBAFF plays an important role in the survival of cat B cells and has functional cross reactivity between cats and other mammals, and suggest a role for the BAFF-BAFF-R system in regulating B-cell survival. Therefore, BAFF and BAFF-R show promise for enhancing the immune systems of animals.
Collapse
|
7
|
TACI expression and signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:478753. [PMID: 25950010 PMCID: PMC4408744 DOI: 10.1155/2015/478753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
TACI is a membrane receptor of BAFF and APRIL, contributing to the differentiation and survival of normal B cells. Although malignant B cells are also subjected on TACI signaling, there is a remarkable intradisease and interindividual variability of TACI expression in B-cell malignancies. The aim of our study was to explore the possible role of TACI signaling in the biology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including its phenotypic and clinical characteristics and prognosis. Ninety-four patients and 19 healthy controls were studied. CLL patients exhibited variable TACI expression, with the majority of cases displaying low to undetectable TACI, along with low to undetectable BAFF and increased APRIL serum levels compared to healthy controls. CLL cells with high TACI expression displayed a better survival capacity in vitro, when cultured with BAFF and/or APRIL. Moreover, TACI expression was positively correlated with the presence of monoclonal gammopathy and inversely with CD11c expression. Therefore, our study provides further evidence for the contribution of BAFF/APRIL signaling to CLL biology, suggesting also that TACI detection might be useful in the selection of patients for novel targeting therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang S, Li JY, Xu W. Role of BAFF/BAFF-R axis in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2014; 91:113-22. [PMID: 24629840 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell activating factor (BAFF), as a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family, plays important roles in B-cell homeostasis, tolerance, and malignancy. BAFF binds to three receptors of TNF, TACI, BCMA and BAFF-receptor (BAFF-R). In particular, the BAFF/BAFF-R pathway is crucial to the survival and growth of mature normal and malignant B-cells. BAFF is displayed on the cell surface or is released in a soluble form after cleavage from the plasma membrane. BAFF-R as the main BAFF receptor is expressed mainly on B-cells. Aberrant BAFF expression was found in malignant B-cells from B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) patients, which protects these cells from spontaneous or drug-induced apoptosis and stimulated NF-κB activation via autocrine and/or paracrine pathways. However, the mechanisms involved in the gene expression and regulation of BAFF or BAFF-R has not been elucidated. More importantly, the design of reagents able to counteract BAFF/BAFF-R pathways may be of therapeutic value for B-NHL. Results of ongoing clinical trials with BAFF or BAFF-R antagonists are eagerly awaited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jian-Yong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wu H, Chen S, Liu M, Xu X, Ji X, Gao K, Tian A, Ke Z, Zhang J, Zhao B, Zhang S. Molecular characterization and evolutionary analysis of horse BAFF-R, a tumor necrosis factor receptor related to B-cell survival. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 18:163-8. [PMID: 24291174 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Revised: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
B-cell survival depends on signals induced by B-cell activating factor (BAFF) that binds to the BAFF receptor (BAFF-R). Herein, a BAFF-R homolog was identified in a horse (Equus caballus). The horse BAFF-R gene, located on chromosome 28, spans 1444 base pairs and encodes a 183-amino acid protein. The protein is structurally conserved, in which the DxL motif plays an important role in binding to BAFF. Furthermore, the horse BAFF-R extracellular domain was expressed and purified, which specifically bound to His6-sBAFF and had the capability of blocking the function of His6-sBAFF in vitro. Finally, evolutionary analyses indicated that some codon sites of BAFF-R evolve with positive selection and that the genetic relationship among a horse, Chiroptera, and Caniformia are the closest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China; Basic Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Meng Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Xingzhou Xu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Xuemei Ji
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Kai Gao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Aiying Tian
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Zhen Ke
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | | | - Bo Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
| | - Shuangquan Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Science College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cols M, Barra CM, He B, Puga I, Xu W, Chiu A, Tam W, Knowles DM, Dillon SR, Leonard JP, Furman RR, Chen K, Cerutti A. Stromal endothelial cells establish a bidirectional crosstalk with chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells through the TNF-related factors BAFF, APRIL, and CD40L. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:6071-83. [PMID: 22593611 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clonal B cell disorder of unknown origin. Accessory signals from the microenvironment are critical for the survival, expansion, and progression of malignant B cells. We found that the CLL stroma included microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) expressing BAFF and APRIL, two TNF family members related to the T cell-associated B cell-stimulating molecule CD40L. Constitutive release of soluble BAFF and APRIL increased upon engagement of CD40 on MVECs by CD40L aberrantly expressed on CLL cells. In addition to enhancing MVEC expression of CD40, leukemic CD40L induced cleavases that elicited intracellular processing of pro-BAFF and pro-APRIL proteins in MVECs. The resulting soluble BAFF and APRIL proteins delivered survival, activation, Ig gene remodeling, and differentiation signals by stimulating CLL cells through TACI, BAFF-R, and BCMA receptors. BAFF and APRIL further amplified CLL cell survival by upregulating the expression of leukemic CD40L. Inhibition of TACI, BCMA, and BAFF-R expression on CLL cells; abrogation of CD40 expression in MVECs; or suppression of BAFF and APRIL cleavases in MVECs reduced the survival and diversification of malignant B cells. These data indicate that BAFF, APRIL, and CD40L form a CLL-enhancing bidirectional signaling network linking neoplastic B cells with the microvascular stroma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Cols
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Parameswaran R, Yu M, Lyu MA, Lim M, Rosenblum MG, Groffen J, Heisterkamp N. Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with an rGel/BLyS fusion toxin. Leukemia 2012; 26:1786-96. [PMID: 22373785 PMCID: PMC3376225 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2012.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy affecting children and a major cause of mortality from hematopoietic malignancies in adults. A substantial number of patients become drug resistant during chemotherapy, necessitating the development of alternative modes of treatment. rGel (recombinant Gelonin)/BlyS (B-lymphocyte stimulator) is a toxin-cytokine fusion protein used for selective killing of malignant B-cells expressing receptors for B-cell-activating factor (BAFF/BLyS) by receptor-targeted delivery of the toxin, Gelonin. Here, we demonstrate that rGel/BLyS binds to ALL cells expressing BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) and upon internalization, it induces apoptosis of these cells and causes downregulation of survival genes even in the presence of stromal protection. Using an immunodeficient transplant model for human ALL, we show that rGel/BLyS prolongs survival of both Philadelphia chromosome-positive and negative ALL-bearing mice. Furthermore, we used AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, to mobilize the leukemic cells protected in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and the combination with rGel/BLyS resulted in a significant reduction of the tumor load in the BM and complete eradication of ALL cells from the circulation. Thus, a combination treatment with the B-cell-specific fusion toxin rGel/BLyS and the mobilizing agent AMD3100 could be an effective alternative approach to chemotherapy for the treatment of primary and relapsed ALL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Parameswaran
- Section of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Hematology/Oncology and The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rickert RC, Jellusova J, Miletic AV. Signaling by the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily in B-cell biology and disease. Immunol Rev 2012; 244:115-33. [PMID: 22017435 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2011.01067.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) participate prominently in B-cell maturation and function. In particular, B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family receptor (BAFF-R), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) play critical roles in promoting B-cell survival at distinct stages of development by engaging a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and/or BAFF. CD40 is also essential for directing the humoral response to T-cell-dependent antigens. Signaling by the TNFRSF is mediated primarily, albeit not exclusively, via the TNFR-associated factor (TRAF) proteins and activation of the canonical and/or non-canonical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. Dysregulated signaling by TNFRSF members can promote B-cell survival and proliferation, causing autoimmunity and neoplasia. In this review, we present a current understanding of the functions of and distinctions between APRIL/BAFF signaling by their respective receptors expressed on particular B-cell subsets. These findings are compared and contrasted with CD40 signaling, which employs similar signaling conduits to achieve distinct cellular outcomes in the context of the germinal center response. We also underscore how new findings and conceptual insights into TNFRSF signaling are facilitating the understanding of B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Rickert
- Program on Inflammatory Disease Research, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mora E, Guglielmotti A, Biondi G, Sassone-Corsi P. Bindarit: an anti-inflammatory small molecule that modulates the NFκB pathway. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:159-69. [PMID: 22189654 DOI: 10.4161/cc.11.1.18559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of nuclear factor (NF)κB pathway and its transducing signaling cascade has been associated with the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. The central role that IκBα and p65 phosphorylation play in regulating NFκB signalling in response to inflammatory stimuli made these proteins attractive targets for therapeutic strategies. Although several chemical classes of NFκB inhibitors have been identified, it is only for a few of those that a safety assessment based on a comprehensive understanding of their pharmacologic mechanism of action has been reported. Here, we describe the specific anti-inflammatory effect of bindarit, an indazolic derivative that has been proven to have anti-inflammatory activity in a variety of models of inflammatory diseases (including lupus nephritis, arthritis and pancreatitis). The therapeutic effects of bindarit have been associated with its ability to selectively interfere with monocyte recruitment and the "early inflammatory response," although its specific molecular mechanisms have remained ill-defined. For this purpose, we investigated the effect of bindarit on the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1 and MCPs, IL-12β/p40, IL-6 and IL-8/KC) in both a mouse leukaemic monocyte-macrophage cell line and bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM). Bindarit inhibits the LPS-induced MCP-1 and IL-12β/p40 expression without affecting other analyzed cytokines. The effect of bindarit is mediated by the downregulation of the classical NFκB pathway, involving a reduction of IκBα and p65 phosphorylation, a reduced activation of NFκB dimers and a subsequently reduced nuclear translocation and DNA binding. Bindarit showed a specific inhibitory effect on the p65 and p65/p50 induced MCP-1 promoter activation, with no effect on other tested activated promoters. We conclude that bindarit acts on a specific subpopulation of NFκB isoforms and selects its targets wihtin the whole NFκB inflammatory pathway. These findings pave the way for future applications of bindarit as modulator of the inflammatory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Mora
- Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tussiwand R, Rauch M, Flück LA, Rolink AG. BAFF-R expression correlates with positive selection of immature B cells. Eur J Immunol 2011; 42:206-16. [PMID: 22028296 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201141957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between BAFF and BAFF-R is crucial for the development of mature B cells. Here, we report that the expression of BAFF-R is first detectable on a fraction of mouse CD19(+) CD93(+) IgM(+) CD23(-) and human CD19(+) CD10(+) IgM(+) BM B cells. This BAFF-R(+) BM B-cell population shows higher levels of surface IgM expression and decreased RAG-2 transcripts than BAFF-R(-) immature B cells. When cultured, mouse BAFF-R(-), but not BAFF-R(+) immature B cells spontaneously undergo B-cell receptor editing. However, BAFF-R(+) immature B cells cultured in the presence of an anti-κ light chain antibody are induced to undergo receptor editing. This receptor editing correlates with down-modulation of surface BAFF-R expression and the up-regulation of RAG-2 at the RNA level. B-cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking on splenic T1 B cells results in down-modulation of the BAFF-R, and receptor editing and RAG-2 up-regulation in a minor fraction of B cells. BCR cross-linking on splenic T2/3 B cells results in partly down and partly up-modulation of BAFF-R expression and no evidence for receptor editing. Overall, our data indicate that BAFF-R expression is tightly regulated during B-cell development in mouse and human and its expression is correlated with positive selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Tussiwand
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|